This bulbous flowering plant is relatively hardy and easy-going, making it a good choice for beginner gardeners. Garlic plants want 6-8 hours a day of full sunlight and loose, well-draining soil. Give them about an inch of water a week while keeping the soil moist. However, when the foliage starts to turn yellow, let the soil dry for 2-3 weeks. Doing this before harvesting lowers the chances of mold. Organic mulch will help control weed growth and moisture.

The main pests to be aware of are nematodes and onion thrips. White rot fungus is another potential hazard, and an infection can remain in a field for decades. Avoid getting the mulch wet and inspect the plants regularly for signs of danger.

Gardeners usually start garlic from cloves, but you can also use the bulbils or seed garlic. These require a dormancy period of up to 10 weeks in cold temperatures before they will germinate. To create this, simply store the bulbils in the refrigerator using a paper bag. For indoor seeding, plant the bulbils in a well-draining tray or pot that’s at least six inches deep. The bulbils or seeds should go about a half-inch deep and 2-3 inches apart.

In many areas, garlic is often planted in the fall to harvest the following summer. Do so once the soil temperature drops to 60 degrees so the roots can establish and prevent winter heaving. Choose a site that has not grown other alliums for at least two years so nutrient levels have recovered. Cloves should be planted two inches deep and 4-6 inches apart with the pointed end facing up. Adding mulch to heavy, clay-like soil will help it drain.

For long-term container planting, use a pot at least 12 inches deep and either an amended garden soil or potting mix. Water the garlic whenever the top inch of soil feels dry.

Good feeding will produce the large bulbs and intense flavor you love. Work some organic matter or slow-release balanced fertilizer into the soil during initial planting. Beginning in the spring, fertilize every 3-4 weeks with a high-nitrogen blend or an organic nitrogen source like blood meal. Phosphorus is also key to healthy bulbs. Do regular soil testing to determine needs and avoid overfertilizing, which can weaken the bulbs.

Overwintering garlic is easy in most cases. After the fall planting, water the cloves/seeds thoroughly and then cover the area with a 4-6 inch layer of organic mulch. A frost blanket or cold frame should only be necessary in extremely cold or snowy growing zones. Check periodically to see if any cloves have been uprooted and push them back into the ground.

Periodically removing the flower stems and curly scapes from a garlic plant will direct more energy towards bulb growth. Snip the scapes off once they have fully cured and use them like garlic in the kitchen.

Garlic is ready to harvest when most of the bottom leaves have turned brown, which can happen anywhere from late spring to late summer. On softneck varieties, the stalks will start falling over. Carefully insert a garden fork into the soil 6-8 inches from the plant and pry at an angle so the fork goes under the bulb and lifts it.