12 Smart Tips For Growing Garlic Bigger & Better This Spring

Garlic is one of the few aromatic vegetables I’ve grown consistently in my mom’s garden over the last 5 years! 

Believe it or not, my first garlic patch was actually a disaster. Rot, fungal infection, and crippling death turned out to be the fate of that patch, but I won’t deny that most of it was my fault. (It was my first time growing garlic; I had no idea what I was doing)

In today’s article, I’m going to share with you some very important lessons and tips that I’ve learned over the years growing and harvesting garlic. Let’s jump right into it, shall we?

Spring Garlic Care: Why It REALLY Matters…

Some of you might not know this, but spring is actually when garlic bulbs put on most of their size.  The right spring conditions can double bulb growth compared to neglect.

You’ll need to maintain a weed-free environment and provide your garlic with enough water in spring to thrive. Other factors like soil amendment, mulching, and fertilization also play a role in this.

So, whether you choose to plant in spring or fall, your garlic will need targeted care regardless. 

Smart Garlic Growing Tips For Bigger Bulbs

Tip 1: Start With The Right Garlic Type For Your Zone

The first most important tip to keep in mind is picking the right garlic variety for your area/zone.

Spring is the best time to reinforce these choices with good care. This guide breaks down the differences between the two to help you choose the right one

Tip 2: Make Sure The Soil Drains Well

One thing you must learn about garlic is that it absolutely HATES soggy roots. You must try your best not to overwater this aromatic vegetable, but even if you do, ensure the soil has good enough drainage to control the amount of damage excess water can cause to your roots.

Raised beds, grow bags, or sandy loam work best for preventing soggy roots when growing garlic. 

Tip 3: Loosen The Soil Around Bulbs In Spring

Gently loosen compacted soil to allow garlic bulbs to expand freely and unlock their full growth potential. Just make sure you do not disturb or injure any roots during the loosening process.

Tip 4: Apply A Balanced Fertilizer In Early Spring

For bulb growth, look for fertilizers with an NPK of 10-10-10 or a slow-release option for extended benefits. Keep in mind to avoid using too much nitrogen after mid-spring, as it can promote excessive leafy growth at the cost of bulb growth. 

Tip 5: Mulch For Moisture & Weed Control

Weeds are a common concern with garlic. They start growing in a nearby radius and show no signs of stopping till you take strong action against them. Straw, shredded leaves, or light compost can work very well as mulch to help maintain soil moisture and control weed growth. 

Tip 6: Water Deeply But Infrequently

Water your garlic only when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. Keep watering frequency in check, as overwatering garlic can cause rot or result in small, underdeveloped bulbs. 

Tip 7: Don’t Let Garlic Compete With Weeds

You want to keep your garlic patch weed-free during spring. Because of its shallow roots, garlic is easily outcompeted by fast-growing and invasive weeds. 

Tip 8: Snap Off Garlic Scapes (Hardneck Only) 

When dealing with hardneck garlic, remove all curly flower stalks so that the plant is able to redirect energy to bulb growth. Fortunately for you, they’re edible, so you can consume them instead of simply throwing them out. 

Tip 9: Stop Watering About 2 Weeks Before Harvest

Putting the brakes on watering frequency about two weeks before harvest can help bulbs cure in the ground, prevent mold, and improve storage life drastically. 

Tip 10: Know When To Harvest

Harvest your garlic when the lower 2-3 leaves turn yellow, but the upper ones are still bright green. Harvesting too early will most likely yield you smaller bulbs, while overly delayed harvests offer poor structural integrity and problems like clove separation. 

Here’s a guide to help you get the timing just right for each garlic variety.

Tip 11: Cure Garlic Properly After Harvest

To cure your freshly harvested garlic, hang it in a shaded, dry, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks. Doing this will lock in a deeper, richer flavor and improve storage life significantly. 

Tip 12: Save Your Best Bulbs For Next Year

Pick out your biggest cloves for fall planting. This will help improve your garlic yield consistently year after year. 

Conclusion

Garlic is definitely an all-time favorite vegetable of many people around the world. It makes everything taste better, doesn’t it? (I mean savory dishes, ofcourse)

Today, we discussed some crucial garlic growing tips that I’ve learned over the years, and now, it’s time for you to implement them for solid results in your own garden. Now go and get after it!