Jeff Favelle October 15th, 2022
Garlic is a unique crop in that not only does it grow from pieces of itself (the cloves), but also because it is an extremely long crop spanning all 4 seasons in its life cycle. Normally planted in the fall, a month before your first frost, garlic cloves lie virtually dormant all winter, sprouting to life the following spring. Summer brings us the harvest, and then the cycle starts all over again that fall.
Although there are nearly limitless varieties of garlic for you to choose from, they are all planted the exact same way. Make that, two ways. The pre-dug method and the push-down method. Let’s look at both:
For the pre-dug method, we take our bed or pot and make depressions are trenches the exact depth we want the cloves. Depending on your climate, that’s going to be anywhere from 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5cm) below the soil surface, not including mulch. A hard rake makes nice, even rows if you’re planting many cloves in long succession. Place the clove in, pointy end up, root side down, and space them at lest 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15cm) apart from each other. Cover them back up with the displaced soil, mulch and water, and your garlic is planted!
For method #2, we’ll need some nice, loose, fresh soil. This is the preferred method for planting in pots or containers. Fill up whatever you’re using to grow the garlic in, right to the top with a quality organic potting mix.
Observing the same spacing rules as before, simply push the cloves in, pointy side up, to the desired depth, closing in the soil over top. Mulch as you normally would and give them a good soaking to consolidate the planting!
Done! Two super easy ways to plant your garlic cloves this fall. Happy growing guys!
Totally rad article bro🔥🔥
Thanks man, super appreciated!
How do we find the links to your UTube garlic video?
Hey Kevin, the video is embedded at the end of the article there. From it, all my YouTube garlic videos are available in the description! Cheers!
Just found your channel… love it! I am wondering what you use as mulch in any of your beds. I have raised beds too. It looks like you use chopped hay or straw and wondering if you find organic of either of these two products. I have been using wood chips per Back to Eden gardening and not totally happy with them because they end up getting down into the soil and I think it pulls out the nitrogen. I am interested in trying straw or hay but I want it to be organic.
Btw I loved your strawberry videos of using just the runners to root. I am getting some free plants and I am SO excited to try this easier method.
Hey Beth, thanks for checking out the videos! For the mulch you see, its a fine, clean straw. You have to avoid hay because that stuff will resprout like crazy. I also use shredded leaves and grass clippings as well. I too find wood chips much too coarse for lush plants like veggies, so I avoid. I get my straw locally…I’ve yet to find an online source.