Planting Garlic in Spring: A Step-by-Step Guide

Garlic is a delicious and versatile addition to any kitchen, and planting your own garlic can be a rewarding experience. But can you plant garlic in spring? The answer is yes! While fall is the traditional time to plant garlic, spring planting can also be successful. Here's what you need to know:

Preparing Your Bed

Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil for your garlic bed. In the spring, you'll need to work the soil to a depth of about 6 inches and remove any rocks, roots, or other debris. Add compost or well-rotted manure to the soil to add nutrients and improve drainage. Then, rake the soil smooth.

Selecting Your Garlic

Choose a variety of garlic that is suitable for spring planting. Some good options include Artichoke, Turban, and Asiatic garlic. Select large, healthy bulbs that have not started to sprout. Break the bulbs into individual cloves, leaving the papery covering intact.

Planting Your Garlic

Plant the garlic cloves about 4-6 inches apart and bury them about 2 inches deep. Cover the cloves with soil and press down gently to firm the soil. Water the garlic bed thoroughly, but don't let it become waterlogged. Mulch the bed with straw or leaves to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Caring for Your Garlic

Garlic needs regular irrigation, especially during dry periods. Water the bed deeply about once a week. Be sure to weed the garlic bed regularly, but be gentle so as not to disturb the delicate roots. Fertilize the garlic with an all-purpose fertilizer in mid-April and again in late May.

Harvesting Your Garlic

In late July or early August, your garlic should be ready to harvest. Look for the leaves to turn yellow and fall over. Use a garden fork to gently loosen the soil around the bulbs, being careful not to damage them. Allow the garlic to cure for 2-3 weeks in a cool, dry place with good ventilation. After curing, remove the papery covering and trim the roots and stems.

Planting garlic in the spring can be a fun and rewarding experience. With the right preparation and care, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious, homegrown garlic!