Knowing how to plant garlic is the easiest way to get a big harvest from a small bed. You put a clove in the ground in autumn, leave it alone all winter, and dig up a full bulb the next summer. This guide covers the right depth, spacing, soil and mulch so your first crop grows strong.
How to Plant Garlic: The Short Answer
Here is how to plant garlic in five quick steps:
- Plant in fall, a few weeks before the ground freezes.
- Split the bulb into cloves but leave the papery skin on each one.
- Set each clove pointed end up, about 2 inches deep.
- Space cloves 4 to 6 inches apart, in rows 12 to 18 inches apart.
- Water once, then cover the bed with 4 to 6 inches of straw.
When Should You Plant Garlic?
Timing comes first when you are learning how to plant garlic. Fall is the best season for planting garlic bulbs in most climates. Cool autumn soil lets the cloves grow roots before winter, and the cold period that follows helps each bulb split into cloves later. Iowa State University Extension recommends October to early November for its cold-winter region.
Your exact date depends on where you live, so look up your area on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map first. Then check our guide to the best time to plant garlic for dates by zone. If you are planning the whole month, what to plant in October by zone shows what else can go in the ground now.
Not sure of your planting date? See the garlic planting calendar for your zone
Choose the Right Garlic Before You Plant
The type of garlic you buy affects how to plant garlic in your climate, so pick before you dig.
Hardneck garlic
Hardneck types handle cold winters well and form fewer, larger cloves per bulb. Extension growers often put the count at about five to eight.
Softneck garlic
If you want to know how to grow softneck garlic, start with your climate. Softneck bulbs have twelve or more smaller cloves and no flower stalk. They do best where winters are mild. In colder zones they need a thick mulch and may still struggle.
Vernalized garlic
Vernalized garlic is seed garlic that has been chilled for several weeks to copy a cold winter. It suits gardeners in warm regions where the soil never gets cold enough on its own.
Planting organic garlic
For planting organic garlic, buy certified organic seed garlic from a nursery or seed company. Avoid supermarket bulbs. The University of Vermont Extension warns that store garlic may be adapted to warmer climates and can perform poorly in colder gardens.
How to Plant Garlic in the Right Soil and Sunny Spot
Garlic needs full sun and loose, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Heavy clay holds too much water and can rot the cloves, so mix in compost before planting. A raised garden bed is a great fix for wet soil.
Not sure where to put it? Read how to choose the right garden location and see how much sunlight garden plants need. Clear out weeds first, because garlic does not compete well with them.
How to Plant Garlic Cloves Step by Step
Step 1: Break the bulb apart
Separate the bulb into single cloves just before planting. When planting garlic, do you peel it? No. Keep the papery skin on, because it protects the clove in wet soil.
Step 2: Pick the biggest cloves
Large cloves grow large bulbs. Plant the biggest ones and keep the small ones for cooking.
Step 3: Set each clove the right way up
Which direction to plant garlic? Point the narrow tip up and the flat root end down. A clove planted upside down still grows, but it wastes energy finding its way to the surface.
Step 4: Dig to the right depth
This is the part of how to plant garlic that beginners get wrong most often, so measure. Make a hole or trench and place the clove at the depth in the next section.
Step 5: Space, cover and water
Set the cloves at the spacing below, cover them with soil, and water gently once.
How Deep to Plant Garlic in the Fall
Depth is a key part of how to plant garlic in cold regions. Advice on how deep to plant garlic in the fall varies by region. Iowa State suggests about 1 to 1.5 inches, while Vermont growers plant closer to 3 inches. A simple rule is to bury each clove about twice its own height, and go a little deeper in very cold areas.
| Your climate | Planting depth |
|---|---|
| Mild or moderate winters, with mulch | 1 to 2 inches |
| Cold winters | 2 to 3 inches |
| Very cold winters, little snow | About 3 inches plus extra mulch |
So how deep do garlic cloves need to be planted? For most home gardens, 2 inches is a safe place to start.
Planting Distance for Garlic
Planting distance for garlic is the next piece of how to plant garlic well. Each bulb needs room to swell, and crowded plants make smaller bulbs.
| Spacing | Distance |
|---|---|
| Between cloves in a row | 4 to 6 inches |
| Between rows | 12 to 18 inches |
| Raised bed grid | 4 to 6 inches in every direction |
How to Plant Garlic: Water, Mulch and Winter Care
Mulch is the last step in how to plant garlic before winter. After planting, water once so the soil settles around each clove. Then add 4 to 6 inches of weed-free straw or chopped leaves. Mulch protects the roots from freezing and thawing and keeps weeds down. In early spring, pull it back slightly so green shoots can come through.
Garlic needs steady moisture, but soggy soil causes rot. If leaves turn yellow, check our list of signs of overwatering. For a routine you can follow, see how often garden plants should be watered.
Leaves turning yellow after watering? Learn the 7 signs of overwatering and fix them fast
How Long Does Garlic Take to Grow?
Garlic planted in fall is usually harvested the following summer, so plan on roughly eight to nine months. The bulbs are ready when the tops begin to yellow and fall over but are not fully dry, according to Utah State University Extension. Lift them gently with a fork and let them dry in a shady, warm spot for one to two weeks.
Tips for Planting Garlic
These tips for planting garlic make how to plant garlic simple and help beginners avoid the most common mistakes:
- Buy seed garlic, not supermarket bulbs.
- Plant on time. Cloves planted too late make weak roots.
- Never skip the mulch in cold regions.
- Keep the bed weeded and well drained.
- Label each variety so you know what you are harvesting.
Garlic also fits nicely next to other cool-season crops. See the best fall vegetables to plant in October for ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant garlic in spring?
Yes, but fall planting is preferred. The steps for how to plant garlic in spring are the same. Put cloves in the ground as soon as the soil can be worked. Expect smaller bulbs than fall-planted garlic.
Can I use garlic from the grocery store?
You can, but results are unreliable. Store bulbs may not suit your climate. Seed garlic from a nursery is the safer choice.
What is the easiest way to plant garlic cloves?
Dig a shallow trench, place the cloves pointed end up at the right spacing, then backfill and mulch. It is faster than digging single holes.
How far apart should garlic be planted?
Spacing is part of how to plant garlic correctly. Set cloves 4 to 6 inches apart in rows 12 to 18 inches apart. Wider spacing gives bigger bulbs.
Do I need to water garlic in winter?
Usually not if the soil is moist and mulched. Water only during long dry spells when the soil is not frozen.
Final Thoughts on How to Plant Garlic
Now you know how to plant garlic from start to finish: pick the right type, plant in fall, bury cloves pointed end up at the right depth, and mulch well. New to growing food? Start with our vegetable garden for beginners guide and these gardening tips for beginners.
Ready to start your first garden? Follow our 7 easy steps for a beginner vegetable garden