Garlic It has earned its place as one of the essential crops in orchards and gardens, whether due to its ease of cultivation, its low return, or the great culinary and medicinal value of its bulbs. If you've ever considered dedicating a space to it in your garden, here's the The most complete and up-to-date guide on how to plant and harvest garlic, with all the key aspects for success, whether you are experienced or a beginner.
From choosing the right variety From knowing exactly when to plant and how to achieve a bountiful harvest, to all the secrets of sowing, care, watering, and harvesting, here you'll find everything you need to become a true garlic expert without leaving home, with useful tips for all types of climates and soils.
Garlic Varieties: Choosing the Ideal Type for Your Climate
There are two main types of garlic: that of stiff neck and of soft neckEach variety has different characteristics and needs, so it's best to choose the variety that best suits your garden's conditions:
- hard neck garlic: It has a rigid central stem and needs to overwinter to form a bulb. It's ideal for cold climates, although it keeps for a shorter time and its cloves are somewhat smaller.
- soft neck garlic: It does not develop a central scape, adapts well to milder or warmer climates, and is the variety that preserves best after harvest. For this reason, it is preferred in commercial farms.
There are also two very popular variants: white garlic (softer and with better conservation qualities) and the purple garlic (more intense and resistant to humidity), both with different properties and uses in the kitchen.
Optimal conditions for growing garlic: climate, soil, and location
Garlic stands out for its adaptability and resistance, but to ensure voluminous and healthy bulbs it is important to pay attention to several fundamental aspects:
Climate: It tolerates winter cold very well and requires mild to warm temperatures during the bulb development months (optimal between 20 ° C and 38 ° C). A harsh winter encourages growth, but temperatures below -25°C can cause damage. In summer, excessive heat and humidity can increase the risk of disease, so it's advisable to avoid waterlogged soils and choose the planting season carefully.
Ground: Needs land light, loose, well-drained and rich in organic matter, but without excessive fertilizer. Garlic appreciates potassium and phosphorus, and doesn't tolerate heavy, compact, or overly wet soils well, as bulb rot is one of its greatest enemies. Turn the soil well, add mature compost if necessary, and avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which promote the development of leaves rather than bulbs.
Light: Always plant it in places with abundant direct sunlight, at least six hours a day, to ensure good growth. If you grow it in pots or urban gardens, ensure a container at least 10 cm deep and with good drainage. You can find more details on how to grow and water garlic in our specialized guide..
Planting season: When to plant garlic depending on the region?
Garlic has two key planting periods: en autumn (October-November) and winter to early spring (January-March)Choosing the right time depends primarily on your climate and the variety you choose:
- Mild or temperate climates and Andalusia: optimal from October to November or from January to March.
- Center and north of the peninsula: The ideal is to plant in autumn (October-November), thus taking advantage of the low temperatures to induce the formation of the bulb.
- Mediterranean areas: Sowing can be delayed until November-January.
There is also the option of planting garlic in spring. in areas with very cold winters or to take advantage of the space behind other crops. In any case, it's important to avoid waterlogging and recent rainfall to prevent germination from becoming difficult.
Preparation and sowing: step by step for a successful crop
Proper sowing is key to a bountiful harvest. Before you begin, select the best heads to plant. Use large, healthy, and damage-free teeth. Separate the teeth, discarding the small or deformed ones, since each tooth will give rise to a plant and therefore to a new head of garlic.
Steps to plant garlic:
- Prepare the ground: Sow in rows leaving 10-15 cm between teeth and some 20 cm between linesUse a spongy soil and avoid compacted or excessively nitrogen-rich soils.
- Plant the teeth: Bury each tooth 3-5 cm deep (a little less if the soil is heavy). Always place the tip of the clove facing up and the base facing down.
- Water gently: Give a moderate initial watering to settle the soil, but avoid waterlogging.
- Potted: Use a container at least 10 cm deep and make sure it receives direct light.
In two or three weeks you will begin to see the first leaves sprout.
Care throughout the growing period: the essentials for perfect bulbs
Garlic is a simple crop, but it requires some key care:
- Irrigation: It's fundamental not to exceedGarlic is a dry-farming crop—it tolerates drought well but hates excess water. Light, spaced-out watering will suffice, increasing slightly in the first few weeks and reducing it later. In areas with heavy rain or soils, you can even skip it altogether.
- Undergrowth: Keep the ground clean of weeds, as they compete for nutrients and water.
- Flower pruning: In spring, many varieties produce flower stalks (scapes). If you let them bloom, nutrients will go to the flower and the bulb will be smaller. Cut the flower holding the stem and carefully pulling it off.
- Knotted: This traditional practice is performed when the leaves reach a good height. Tie a knot at the base of the stem to facilitate the flow of nutrients to the bulb and the leaves begin to dry.
Remember that garlic is very little susceptible to pests, as it acts naturally as a repellent, although flies or beetles may occasionally appear during the spring. Serious episodes are rare.
Ripening and harvesting: when and how to harvest garlic
Harvest is the most anticipated moment and must be made at the right point of ripeness. Normally, they take 4-6 months in completing the cycle from sowing.
When to harvest? The best indicator is when between half and two-thirds of the leaves have begun to turn yellow and dry out, but not completely wilted. At this point, the bulb will have reached its maximum size.
Another sign is the drying of the central stem, especially in hardneck varieties. Choose a dry day, avoid harvesting after rain, and make sure the soil is completely dry.
How to harvest? Use a small shovel or hoe to gently pry the bulb out without damaging it. Don't pull directly on the stem to avoid breaking the bulb.
Curing and storage: extend the life of your harvest
Curing is essential to keep garlic in perfect condition for months. Immediately after harvesting, shake off the soil and remove damaged roots and leaves. Leave the bulbs in the sun for two days or hang them in a well-ventilated, dark, and dry place for about two weeks. Learn how to harvest garlic correctly in our guide..
Don't wash the garlic, just brush off any coarse dirt. When they're completely dry, trim the roots to about 0,5 cm and the stem to about 2-5 cm, or braid them if you prefer to store them hanging.
Store bulbs in a cool, airy place with stable temperatures between 13º and 14ºCAlways try to keep the humidity below 50% to prevent mold growth. By following these steps, you can store them for almost a year and enjoy their always-fresh flavor.
Common problems and practical solutions
If growing garlic has a reputation for being simple, it's because, with common sense and a few basic precautions, it rarely produces surprises. However, if problems do occur, they are usually due to:
- Excess of water: Bulbs can rot. Solution: improve drainage, reduce watering, and never plant in areas where water stagnates.
- Plagues and diseases: Rare, but possible. Rotate crops and rotate locations every 2-3 years. If you see spots on leaves or stems, remove affected plants and avoid planting in that space by rotating crops outside the lily family.
- Lack of size in the bulbs: This is usually due to excessive shade, compacted soil, or the use of small tines. If this occurs, improve the soil and select better planting material next time.
Extra tips to boost your crop
Take advantage of biostimulant products such as Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens-based preparations that increase phosphorus availability and improve root development. Add compost as a source of organic matter, but control the nitrogen. Don't forget to follow a planting plan and crop rotation to avoid soil depletion and diseases.
Growing garlic is a rewarding and very accessible experience for any horticulture enthusiast. By following these tips you can harvest large, healthy bulbs full of flavor. In your own garden, enjoying a versatile and natural spice year-round, with the satisfaction of having grown it yourself. Don't hesitate to try different varieties and adapt the technique to your microclimate, because the art of sowing and harvesting garlic is within reach of anyone who dares to try it.
