Growing garlic at home is surprisingly easy and incredibly rewarding—once you get started, you can have an endless supply year after year. Here’s a simple guide to help you do just that:
🧄 How to Grow Garlic at Home (and Keep It Going Forever)
✅ What You’ll Need:
- Garlic bulbs (organic is best, from a nursery or local farmer’s market)
- Pots or garden space with well-drained soil
- Compost or organic fertilizer
- Sunlight (6+ hours per day)
- Patience (it’s a slow grower but worth it)
🧩 Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Choose the Right Garlic
There are two types:
- Hardneck (better for cold climates; has a stronger flavor)
- Softneck (stores longer; grows well in warmer climates)
Pro tip: Don’t use grocery store garlic unless it’s organic—many are treated to prevent sprouting.
2. Break Apart the Bulb
- Carefully separate the cloves from the bulb.
- Leave the papery skins on.
- Use the largest cloves—they’ll grow into the biggest bulbs.
3. Plant at the Right Time
- Best time: Fall (about 4–6 weeks before the ground freezes)
- You can also plant in early spring, but fall planting yields bigger bulbs.
4. Planting Depth & Spacing
- Plant each clove pointy end up.
- Depth: 2 inches deep
- Spacing: 4–6 inches apart
5. Watering & Care
- Water regularly, especially during dry spells.
- Don’t overwater—garlic doesn’t like soggy soil.
- Mulch with straw or leaves in the winter if planted outdoors.
6. Harvesting
- In late spring or early summer (June–July), watch for yellowing leaves.
- Gently dig up the bulbs when the bottom 3–4 leaves are brown and the top ones are still green.
7. Cure & Store
- Let harvested bulbs dry in a cool, dry place for 2–4 weeks.
- Store in a mesh bag or basket in a cool, dry location.
🔁 How to Make It Endless:
- Save the biggest, healthiest bulbs each year to replant.
- Keep a cycle going by replanting cloves every fall.
- You can even plant cloves in containers if space is limited!
