7 Things to Keep in Mind for Growing and Caring for Garlic

Garlic is a must-have for any homestead garden.

Not only is it easy to grow, but it also requires minimal space and stores well for months after harvest. However, if you want large, flavorful bulbs, proper care throughout the growing season is essential.

While garlic doesn’t demand constant attention, a few key factors make all the difference.

How often should you water? What’s the best way to fertilize? When should you stop watering to prevent rot? These are just some of the things that can impact your harvest.

Whether you're planting hardneck or softneck garlic, this guide will walk you through seven essential things you need to know.

By following these practical tips, you'll set yourself up for a strong, healthy crop that rewards you with plump, flavorful bulbs at harvest time.

1. Watering Garlic the Right Way

Garlic needs consistent moisture to grow well, especially in the spring when it’s actively developing roots and leaves.

If the soil stays too dry, the bulbs will remain small. But if there’s too much water, the bulbs can rot. The key is to find the right balance and adjust your watering based on the plant’s needs.

How Often to Water

During spring, garlic thrives when it receives about an inch of water per week. This can come from either rainfall or manual watering.

A rain gauge is useful to measure how much rain has fallen so you can avoid unnecessary watering.

When the weather is dry, especially in late spring and early summer, garlic may need extra water to support bulb development.

However, as soon as you notice the leaves starting to turn yellow, it’s time to stop watering completely.

At this stage, the bulbs are fully formed, and too much moisture can lead to rotting or poor storage quality.

The Best Way to Water Garlic

Deep, even watering is best for garlic. A slow soak ensures moisture reaches the roots without leaving the surface too wet.

If possible, use a drip irrigation system or a soaker hose to provide steady moisture while keeping the leaves dry.

Wet leaves can encourage fungal diseases, so it’s always better to water early in the morning, giving the soil time to dry by evening.

Overhead watering isn’t ideal for garlic, as it can cause excess moisture buildup. If you’re using a watering can or hose, aim directly at the soil rather than spraying the leaves.

2. Boost Growth with the Right Fertilizer

Garlic needs plenty of nutrients to grow well, but applying the right fertilizer at the right time is what makes the biggest difference.

A well-fed garlic plant will develop strong roots, healthy leaves, and large, flavorful bulbs.

Fertilizing at Planting Time

The best way to start garlic off strong is by mixing compost or aged manure into the soil before planting.

This improves soil fertility and provides steady nutrients over time.

Additionally, an organic, balanced fertilizer like a 10-10-10 or 5-5-5 mix gives garlic everything it needs to establish a strong root system before winter.

Feeding Garlic in Spring

Once garlic starts growing in early spring, it benefits from extra feeding to support leaf development.

A great way to do this is by foliar feeding with seaweed or fish emulsion every two weeks until mid-May. For more tips on fertilizers, check out our guide on natural fertilizers.

This type of liquid feeding allows the plant to absorb nutrients quickly through the leaves, giving it an immediate boost.

If you prefer to use dry fertilizers, a nitrogen-rich option like blood meal or alfalfa meal can be applied every three to four weeks during the early growth phase.

Nitrogen encourages strong, green leaves, which help the plant store energy for bulb production later on.

When to Stop Fertilizing

By mid-May, garlic shifts its focus from leaf growth to bulb development. At this point, too much nitrogen can actually harm bulb formation by encouraging the plant to keep growing leaves instead.

To get the best harvest, cut back on fertilizers after mid-May and let the plant direct its energy underground.

When fertilized properly, garlic grows bigger and stores better after harvest. With the right feeding schedule, you’ll be on your way to a flavorful, high-yield garlic crop.

3. Mulching for Moisture Retention & Weed Control

Mulching is one of the best ways to protect your garlic plants and make caring for them easier. A good layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and prevent weeds from competing with your garlic.

Why Mulching is Essential

Garlic has shallow roots, which means it competes poorly with weeds. If weeds take over, they will steal nutrients and water, leading to smaller, weaker bulbs.

A layer of mulch acts as a protective barrier, blocking sunlight from reaching weed seeds and keeping the ground undisturbed.

Mulch also plays a key role in moisture control. It helps the soil hold water for longer, reducing the need for frequent watering.

This is especially important in warmer months when the soil dries out quickly. By maintaining even moisture levels, mulch creates a stable environment for garlic to grow strong and healthy.

For more, check out our guide on natural methods to prevent weeds.

The Best Mulching Materials

The best mulch options for garlic include straw, dried leaves, or compost. These materials break down slowly, adding nutrients back into the soil while protecting the plants.

Some gardeners also use grass clippings or shredded newspaper, but these should be applied in thin layers to prevent mold buildup.

Mulching should be done right after planting in fall to insulate the soil and protect young garlic through winter. In spring, fresh mulch can be added to keep weeds down and maintain soil moisture.

How to Apply Mulch Correctly

When applying mulch, spread it in a thin, even layer about two inches deep.

Avoid piling mulch directly against the garlic stems, as this can trap moisture and cause rot. Instead, leave a small gap around each plant to allow air circulation.

As garlic grows, you may need to fluff or replace the mulch if it becomes compacted. Keeping the mulch layer fresh ensures it continues to protect your garlic throughout the season.

4. Harvest Garlic Scapes for Bigger Bulbs

If you’re growing hardneck garlic, you’ll notice that in late spring or early summer, a curly green stem starts emerging from the center of the plant.

This is called a garlic scape, and while it may seem like just another part of the plant, it actually plays a huge role in garlic bulb development.

What Are Garlic Scapes?

Garlic scapes are flower stems that hardneck garlic produces before the bulbs fully mature. Left alone, these stems will continue growing until they form small bulbs (called top sets) at the tip.

However, if you leave scapes on the plant, they take energy away from the garlic bulbs. This leads to smaller garlic heads at harvest time.

Why You Should Remove Scapes

Cutting off garlic scapes redirects the plant’s energy into the bulb, allowing it to grow bigger. If you want large, well-formed garlic heads, removing the scapes is an important step in the growing process.

The best time to harvest scapes is when they form a loop or curl but before they straighten out. At this stage, they are tender and flavorful, making them perfect for cooking.

How to Harvest Garlic Scapes

Harvesting garlic scapes is simple. Use clean scissors or garden shears and cut the scape near the base, where it emerges from the plant. Be careful not to damage the leaves or the main stalk.

Once harvested, garlic scapes can be eaten fresh or stored. They have a mild garlic flavor and can be used in stir-fries, pestos, soups, or even grilled as a side dish.

By removing scapes at the right time, your garlic bulbs will grow bigger and healthier, while also giving you an extra delicious, edible harvest before the main garlic crop is ready.

5. Watch for Garlic Top Sets (Bonus Cloves!)

If you’re growing hardneck garlic, you may notice that some plants develop tiny bulb-like formations on the stalk.

These are called top sets, and while they’re not as commonly used as underground cloves, they can still be harvested and put to good use.

What Are Garlic Top Sets?

Top sets, also known as bulbils, are small garlic cloves that form on the flowering stalk of hardneck varieties. Unlike regular cloves that grow underground, top sets develop above the soil, usually where the scape begins to mature.

How to Use Garlic Top Sets

Though they’re much smaller than regular cloves, top sets can be planted or eaten just like traditional garlic.

If you choose to plant them, they will take two to three years to grow into full-sized garlic bulbs, but they help preserve strong garlic genetics and can be a great way to increase your garlic stock without using up cloves from your main harvest.

For cooking, top sets have a mild garlic flavor and can be used in the same way as regular cloves. They work well in roasted dishes, stir-fries, or even pickled for a unique garlic addition to meals.

Should You Remove Top Sets?

Unlike garlic scapes, leaving top sets on the plant doesn’t significantly impact bulb growth.

However, if you want the largest bulbs possible, removing them ensures all the plant’s energy is directed toward underground cloves.

If you’re interested in saving them for planting or cooking, simply snip off the stalk just below the cluster of top sets and store them in a dry place until ready to use.

6. Know When to Water & When to Stop

Garlic needs the right amount of water at the right time for strong growth and large bulbs.

Many growers make the mistake of either overwatering late in the season or not giving enough water early on, both of which can affect bulb size and quality.

Watering During Early Growth

In the first few months of growth, garlic requires consistent moisture to develop strong roots and healthy leaves. If the soil dries out too much during this period, the bulbs will struggle to grow.

During spring, watering once a week is usually enough, but during dry spells, additional watering may be necessary. Checking the soil regularly is key—if the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water.

When to Stop Watering Garlic

As garlic approaches maturity, its watering needs change.

The first sign that it’s time to stop watering is when the leaves start turning yellow. At this point, the plant is signaling that the bulbs are reaching full size.

Continuing to water after this stage increases the risk of rot and reduces storage quality. A good rule of thumb is to stop all watering two to three weeks before harvest to allow the bulbs to dry properly in the soil.

Signs You’ve Watered Correctly

If garlic is watered properly throughout the season, you’ll notice:

• Strong, upright green leaves in spring.
• Evenly sized bulbs with well-formed cloves at harvest.
• No signs of rot or mold when curing and storing.

Watering garlic correctly at each stage of growth ensures larger bulbs, better flavor, and longer storage life. By stopping watering at the right time, your garlic will cure properly and last for months without spoiling.

7. Protect Garlic from Common Growing Problems

Even though garlic is easy to grow, a few common issues can affect its size and quality. Small bulbs, rot, weak plants, and fungal diseases can all happen if conditions aren’t right.

The good news is that most of these problems can be avoided with proper care and good growing practices.

Why Garlic Bulbs Stay Small

If your garlic bulbs turn out smaller than expected, it usually comes down to watering and nutrition.

Garlic needs consistent moisture in spring when it’s growing actively. If the soil dries out too often, the plant won’t have enough energy to form large bulbs.

At the same time, too much nitrogen late in the season can cause garlic to focus on leaf growth instead of developing bulbs.

Keeping the soil weed-free is also important because weeds compete for nutrients, slowing down garlic’s growth.

To get the biggest bulbs possible, water regularly in the spring, reduce nitrogen after mid-May, and make sure garlic has enough space to grow without competition.

Preventing Rot and Disease

Garlic doesn’t like too much moisture, and overwatering is one of the biggest causes of rot and fungal disease.

To keep bulbs healthy, plant garlic in well-drained soil so that water doesn’t sit around the roots. If the soil holds too much moisture, raised beds can help improve drainage.

It’s also important to stop watering completely two to three weeks before harvest, allowing the bulbs to dry naturally.

Fungal diseases like white rot and downy mildew can also affect garlic, especially in damp conditions. If you notice yellowing leaves and white fungal patches on the stems or bulbs, it’s best to remove the affected plants right away to prevent the disease from spreading.

Rotating your garlic planting location each year will also help keep diseases from building up in the soil.

Fixing Weak Garlic Plants

If garlic leaves look pale or weak, the plant may not be getting enough nutrients. Garlic benefits from a good balance of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, but the timing of fertilization is important.

In the early stages, nitrogen helps garlic grow strong green leaves, but too much of it later in the season can reduce bulb size. If plants are struggling, a light feeding of compost tea or fish emulsion can help them regain their strength.

Grow Your Best Garlic Yet!

Garlic is a simple crop to grow, but the right care at the right time makes all the difference. Good watering habits, proper fertilization, and careful timing are key to getting large, flavorful bulbs that store well after harvest.

In the early stages, garlic needs consistent watering and nutrients to build strong roots and leaves.

Once bulbs start forming, watering should be reduced to prevent rot. Hardneck garlic produces scapes, which should be harvested to encourage bulb growth.

Some plants may also develop top sets, which can be saved for replanting or cooking.

Mulching helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, while rotating garlic to a new spot each year keeps the soil healthy and prevents disease.

Paying attention to common growing problems, like nutrient deficiencies or fungal diseases, will ensure that your garlic crop is strong and productive.

By following these simple but effective growing techniques, you’ll be able to enjoy a bountiful garlic harvest year after year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s the Best Time to Plant Garlic?

Garlic grows best when planted in the fall, about four to six weeks before the first hard frost. This allows the roots to establish before winter, leading to stronger plants and larger bulbs in spring. If you missed the fall planting window, garlic can also be planted in early spring, but the bulbs may not grow as large.

How Do I Keep Pests Away from My Garlic Plants?

Garlic is naturally resistant to many pests, but some insects like thrips and onion maggots can still cause problems. To keep them away, practice companion planting with strong-scented herbs like rosemary and thyme. A light dusting of diatomaceous earth around the base of the plants can also help deter pests. Keeping the garden area free of plant debris and weeds will reduce the chances of an infestation.

Can I Grow Garlic Indoors?

Yes, garlic can be grown indoors, but it won’t form full-sized bulbs like it does outdoors. If you’re growing garlic inside, it’s best for harvesting garlic greens, which can be used like green onions. Plant a few cloves in a deep container with well-draining soil, place them in a sunny window or under grow lights, and keep the soil moist. The greens will start sprouting in a couple of weeks and can be trimmed as needed.

Why Is My Garlic Sprouting Before I Plant It?

Garlic sometimes sprouts before planting, especially if it’s stored in warm or humid conditions. This isn’t a problem—it can still be planted as long as the sprout is healthy and firm. When planting sprouted garlic, keep the sprout facing upward and handle the clove gently to avoid damaging the new growth. It will continue developing once in the soil.

Can I Replant Garlic From My Own Harvest?

Yes! Saving and replanting your own garlic is a great way to develop stronger, more locally adapted garlic. Choose the largest, healthiest bulbs from your harvest and store them properly until planting time. Avoid replanting small or weak bulbs, as they may produce smaller cloves the following year. Over time, replanting your best bulbs will result in better garlic yields.