Fall Is Garlic Planting Time!

Here in Northern California, the weeks between Halloween and Thanksgiving are time to get your garlic planted if you want a harvest of bulbs next summer.

I like to braid mine, so I always grow softneck varieties.  Seed garlic is available at most quality nurseries.  Here in Sonoma County, I buy mine from Harmony Farms, usually before the end of September so I have a choice of varieties.  The best producers for me have been Silverskin, California Early and Italian Red, and to a lesser extent Inchelium Red.

Garlic is easy, easy, easy!  Simply separate the bulbs into cloves.  Do NOT peel the cloves, but also don't worry if some of the raw clove gets exposed when you're separating.  Space them in your garden bed a good 6 inches apart, then bury so the pointy top is about 1" below the surface.  

Make sure the garlic gets regular water throughout the winter, mulch with a good layer of straw or compost.  Then you just wait.

And wait.

And wait.

If you're like me and have a limited amount of planting space, you'll want to plan carefully, as the garlic won't be ready to harvest until mid-summer.  That's usually too late to add your summer veggies once the garlic vacates the space.  But it's worth it.  Properly cured, bulbs of garlic will last you all year.

This year, I bought myself this new toy.  A trowel that seemed ideal for digging the little holes needed for garlic cloves.  It was worth the sawbuck I spent, but you don't need fancy tools.  Even a butter knife does the trick, assuming your soil is loose and well-draining.  If it's not, you'll want to amend before planting, as garlic needs to easily expand underground.  Heavy clay soil will stunt the bulbs' growth.

I will have further posts next year when it's time to harvest, clean and cure, so keep on the lookout!  Once you master growing your own, you'll never buy store-bought garlic again!