When to Plant Garlic: How to Plant & Grow Garlic at Home

Wondering when to plant garlic? For most home gardeners, fall is the best time. Planting garlic in fall gives cloves time to establish roots before winter and helps set the stage for larger bulbs the following spring and summer.

Unlike tomatoes, peppers, and many of our favorite summer vegetables, garlic gets its start months before harvest. Plant it in the fall, let it establish roots through the cooler months, and it will be ready to take off once spring arrives.

Garlic Planting at a Glance

Garlic Growing Question	Quick Answer
Best time to plant	Fall
Typical planting window	September through December, depending on climate
Sun	Full sun
Planting garlic depth	About 2 to 3 inches
Garlic spacing	About 4 to 6 inches between cloves
When to harvest garlic	Late spring through summer
Best soil	Loose, fertile, well-draining soil

When to Plant Garlic: The Best Time by Climate

A good rule of thumb is to plant garlic in the fall, after temperatures begin cooling but before the ground freezes. Fall planting gives garlic time to begin developing roots before winter and provides a head start when growth resumes in spring.

In colder climates, garlic is commonly planted in the fall so cloves have time to establish roots before winter. The University of Minnesota Extension recommends fall planting for garlic in cold climates, giving plants a head start before spring growth begins.

In areas with milder winters, including much of California and the West Coast, garlic can generally be planted later in the season. UC Agriculture and Natural Resources recommends fall planting for garlic and notes that planting windows in many parts of California extend from October through December.

The answer to when to plant garlic depends largely on your local climate and how cold your winters get.
A simple regional guide:

• Cold-winter regions: September through October
• Moderate climates: October through November
• Mild-winter regions: October through December
• Very warm or desert climates: September through November, depending on local conditions

Because climates can vary considerably even within the same growing zone, your local extension office or garden center can help fine-tune the best timing for your area.

Why Should You Plant Garlic in the Fall?

Understanding when to plant garlic matters because garlic benefits from a long growing season.

After fall planting, the cloves begin establishing a root system underground. Growth slows during the coldest part of winter, then picks back up as temperatures warm and daylight increases in spring.

That head start is one reason fall-planted garlic often develops larger bulbs than garlic planted in spring.

Spring planting is possible, but your bulbs may not have as much time to size up before summer harvest.

If you’re getting the rest of your garden ready for cooler weather, check out our Cool Weather Gardening Checklist for more fall planting and seasonal garden-prep tips.

Hardneck vs. Softneck Garlic: Which Should You Grow?

Hardneck Garlic

Hardneck varieties produce a firm central stalk called a scape. They tend to perform particularly well in areas with colder winters and often produce fewer but larger cloves.

Bonus: Garlic scapes are edible and can be harvested in late spring for pesto, sautés, stir-fries, and more.

Garlic can also be a great addition to an edible landscape, alongside other useful crops and herbs. For more inspiration, see our Creating Your Edible Landscape guide.

Softneck Garlic

Softneck varieties generally perform well in milder climates and tend to store longer after harvest.

They're also the type commonly used for braided bundles of garlic you may see at farmers markets.

If you're gardening in a warm region, varieties adapted to your local climate are often your best bet.

How to Plant Garlic Step by Step

1. Choose Healthy Garlic Cloves

Start with healthy bulbs intended for planting whenever possible.

Separate the bulb into individual cloves shortly before planting, keeping the papery covering intact.

Choose the largest, healthiest cloves for your garden. Larger cloves generally have more stored energy to support early growth and can contribute to larger bulbs at harvest.

2. Choose a Sunny Location

Garlic grows best in full sun, ideally receiving six or more hours of direct sunlight each day.

It also needs well-draining soil. Garlic does not like sitting in soggy soil, which can encourage rot and poor bulb development.

3. Prepare the Soil

Loose, fertile soil gives garlic bulbs room to expand.

Before planting:

• Remove weeds and old plant material.
• Loosen compacted soil.
• Incorporate finished compost or other organic matter if needed.
• Make sure the bed drains well.

Healthy garlic starts with healthy soil. If you want to better understand what your garden may need before planting, see our Soil Testing to Prepare Your Spring Garden guide.

If your soil could use more organic matter, True Organic All Purpose Compost can be mixed into existing garden soil to help improve soil structure and support long-term soil health.

What Fertilizer Should You Use for Garlic?

Garlic is a long-season crop, so good nutrition matters from planting through spring growth.

Before planting, work organic matter into the soil and make sure the bed is loose and well-draining. If your soil needs additional fertility, True Organic All Purpose Plant Food can help support healthy root development and steady growth throughout the season.

Apply according to label directions and avoid over-fertilizing. If you’re unsure what your soil needs, a soil test can help guide your application.

4. How Deep Should You Plant Garlic?

Look at an individual garlic clove. You'll see a flat base, where the roots develop, and a pointed tip, where the shoot emerges.

Plant each clove with the flat end down and pointed end up.

A common planting depth is approximately 2 to 3 inches, although recommendations can vary somewhat with climate, soil, and variety.

For additional planting guidance, see Oregon State University Extension's garlic-growing tips. 

5. How Far Apart Should You Plant Garlic?

Give each clove enough room to form a full-sized bulb.

• Cloves: About 4 to 6 inches apart
• Rows: Roughly 6 to 12 inches apart

You do not need acres of garden space, either. Garlic fits nicely into raised beds, smaller vegetable gardens, and containers.

Can You Grow Garlic in Containers?

Yes. Garlic can grow well in containers as long as the container is deep enough and provides excellent drainage.

Use a loose, well-draining potting mix and make sure the container has drainage holes. Give each clove enough room to develop and place the container where it will receive plenty of sun.

Should You Mulch Garlic?

In regions with cold winters, adding a layer of mulch after planting can help protect your garlic bed.

Straw, shredded leaves, or similar organic mulch can help:

• Moderate soil temperatures
• Reduce frost heaving
• Hold soil moisture
• Suppress weeds

In warmer climates, a lighter layer may be sufficient.

Whatever your climate, avoid letting the bed stay waterlogged.

What Happens to Garlic During Winter?

Not much may appear to be happening above ground, and that's completely normal.

Your garlic is busy establishing roots underground.

You may see shoots emerge during a period of warmer fall or winter weather. Garlic is cold tolerant, and limited top growth before winter generally is not a problem.

Once spring temperatures arrive, growth accelerates quickly.

Should You Fertilize Garlic in Spring?

Yes, depending on your soil fertility. Spring is when garlic begins putting on significant leafy growth, and healthy leaves help support bulb development underground.

A spring feeding with True Organic All Purpose Plant Food can help provide nutrients as garlic resumes active growth. Follow the product label for application rates and timing.

How Often Should You Water Garlic?

Garlic likes consistent moisture while actively growing, but the soil should never stay saturated.

Your goal is evenly moist, well-drained soil.

As the bulbs approach maturity and the foliage begins yellowing in late spring or early summer, gradually reduce watering.

Too much water close to harvest can contribute to bulb and storage problems.

When Is Garlic Ready to Harvest?

Fall-planted garlic is typically ready in late spring through summer, depending on your region and variety.

Watch the leaves rather than the calendar.

When several of the lower leaves begin turning brown or yellow while some upper leaves remain green, it is time to start checking the bulbs.

Gently dig up one bulb rather than pulling it directly from the soil.

You're looking for a well-developed bulb with distinct cloves beneath the outer wrapper.

If the bulb still seems small, give the rest of the crop a little more time.

How Do You Cure and Store Garlic?

Freshly harvested garlic is not quite ready for long-term storage.

After harvesting, place the plants in a dry, shaded location with good airflow and allow them to cure.

Once the outer wrappers and stems have dried, trim the roots and tops as appropriate for the variety and store your garlic in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location.

And don't forget to save a few of your best bulbs. Those large, healthy cloves can become the start of next year's garlic crop.

Frequently Asked Questions About Planting Garlic

When to Plant Garlic for the Best Results?

For many gardeners, October is an ideal month to plant garlic, but the best timing depends on climate. Colder areas may plant in September or October, while milder regions may plant into November or December.

Can you plant garlic in spring?

Yes, garlic can be planted in spring. However, fall planting usually gives the cloves more time to develop roots and can lead to larger bulbs at harvest.

Is November too late to plant garlic?

Not necessarily. In many moderate and mild climates, November is still an excellent time to plant garlic. The key is to plant before the ground freezes and while cloves still have time to establish roots.

How deep should garlic be planted?

A common recommendation is to plant garlic cloves about 2 to 3 inches deep, with the pointed end facing upward.

How far apart should garlic cloves be planted?

Space garlic cloves about 4 to 6 inches apart, with roughly 6 to 12 inches between rows.

Does garlic need full sun?

Yes. Garlic performs best in full sun, ideally with at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.

How long does garlic take to grow?

Fall-planted garlic typically grows over several months, beginning in fall and reaching harvest in late spring or summer, depending on climate and variety.

When should garlic be harvested?

Garlic is generally ready when several of the lower leaves have turned brown or yellow while some of the upper leaves are still green.

Fall Planting, Summer Reward

Once you know when to plant garlic in your region, success comes down to good soil, proper spacing, consistent moisture, and a little patience.

A few cloves tucked into the soil this fall can quietly establish themselves through winter before bursting into growth in spring and producing fresh garlic for your kitchen next summer.

Prepare your soil, choose healthy cloves, give them plenty of sun, and let nature do the rest.

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by Jeff Bordes