Garlic Planting Time

 I'm in gardening zone 7B ever since 2023.   I was in zone 7A.  No, I didn't move, they changed the zoning.    If you want to know what zone you are in now - USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map | Planting Zones Map USA - Garden.org

Now according to this map, garlic is supposed to be planted between August and September, but I've never heard of such a thing.   Garlic has always been planted October 15th, just like peas are planted on St. Paddy's day .... things like that just don't change LOL   Anyway - a good place to go for more information and for your starting stock - Keene Garlic - Shop Premium Garlic Now (keeneorganics.com)    Great people to work with, and if you really don't know what to plant, buy the sampler and send an email stating just that - and what you are looking for.   That's what I did the first year and I still plant one of the original varieties they sent me, because it grew so well in my area.  

So yes, my garlic was supposed to be in last week, but thanks to a warm fall week - I think it'll be okay. I've been growing garlic for 25+ years.   I started off with grocery store garlic that sat around too long and started to sprout.   Then I invested in some organic NonGmo garlic bulbs, and I've been using that, and adding to it - ever since.   I used to grow many different varieties, but now I'm down to just three that I really enjoy, and that I know will get used up by friends and family (and every now and then a chef with a special request will get some)   

How do you plant garlic?  Well, you could just separate the cloves and stick it in the ground.   Your chances of getting premium size garlic bulbs tho ...... not good.   With a few small steps before you stick your garlic in the ground - you'll end up with a much nicer harvest next July !!

First - a soak for 10 minutes.  I use hydrogen peroxide.    Some people use cheap vodka.   Just soak the separated bulbs for about 10 minutes before letting them soak in a fertilizer solution.   Why?   Well, you know how if you pour hydrogen peroxide on a cut it foams like crazy and hurts but you know the foaming is killing the bacteria?   See the white scum surrounding my elephant garlic bulbs?  Yeah, that wasn't there when I put them in!  

For my fertilizer solution, I use 1 scoop of veggie super charger and a gallon of water.    Then I mix in a couple TBSP of Purple cow, fill up my bucket with water, and that's it.   They'll soak overnight and I'll plant in the morning.  I'll get out there today and add some good fertilizer to my soil as well.   Even though my soil is decent, garlic is a very heavy feeder, so extra fertilizer now is helpful!  

Cover with a good 3"-5" of mulch.   This year I'm going to use straw.   Last year I had my lawn guys dump the leave directly onto my raised beds, but I didn't realize how many leaves were out there, and in spring my garlic had some trouble fighting through until I removed it all - a little late :(

And then that's it.   Your garlic will start to grow.  It may grow a lot depending on weather conditions and soil conditions.    Thats fine.   Leave it be.  Make sure that the mulch is deep enough, and don't worry about it.   It'll die back, and then come spring - they'll be back stronger and bigger than ever! 

Yes, I leave my garlic in bags after I seperate the cloves, so it's easier to plant.   This year I'll be growing elephant garlic (which really isn't a garlic, but the cloves are so nice and large, lovely when you don't feel like peeling garlic food cooking!).  I also will be planting Korean Reds and Northern White, both jumbo size bulbs - cause I hate peeling those tiny little inner cloves, and neither of these have any!