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Avoid These 8 Mistakes When Growing Your Garlic

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Growing garlic can be quite simple, but to ensure a good harvest, you need to get it right from the start. 

Even though garlic is usually easy to grow, there are some common mistakes to watch out for, especially if you’re using garlic from the grocery store or your local garden center.

In this article, I’ll share 8 specific mistakes to avoid when planting garlic to set yourself up for a solid garlic harvest.

8 Mistakes to Avoid When Planting Garlic

When it comes to planting garlic, a few missteps can really hold you back from getting a great harvest.

So, let’s take a look at some common mistakes that gardeners often make so you can avoid them and succeed in cultivating your garlic.

1. Planting Your Garlic at the Wrong Time

Ever wonder why, despite doing everything you could to grow healthy garlic, you still didn’t get the results you wanted?

It can be frustrating, right?

One possible factor is timing.

Garlic should be planted in the fall, ideally 3-4 weeks before the first hard freeze.

If you plant too early, your garlic might start sprouting before even winter hits, which isn’t ideal, because those green shoots can freeze and eventually die. 

As a result, the garlic you planted won't grow well and could end up being weak when spring comes.

To avoid this, make sure to plant your garlic in the fall. 

This way, it can establish roots without sprouting too early, ensuring a healthier crop come spring.

You Should Consider the Type Of Garlic You Want to Plant

You may also want to consider the type of garlic you’re planting.

When choosing what to plant, think about your local climate.

If you're in a warmer area, softneck types like Silverskin or Artichoke are a good choice. For cooler regions, hardneck varieties like Porcelain or Rocambole might be better.

So, selecting the right type can help your garlic grow more successfully in your garden.

2. You Plant the Cloves Upside Down

When you plant garlic cloves, it’s really important to have the pointy side up and the flat side down.

If you accidentally plant them upside down, the shoots will struggle to push through the soil, wasting energy along the way.

This can lead to misshapen bulbs that aren’t as nice or healthy as they should be.

To get it right, just take a moment to check each clove before placing it in the soil. The pointy end is where the shoot will come out, and the flat end is where the roots will grow.

If you’re unsure, just remember: pointy side up.

This simple step helps your garlic grow strong and gives you a better harvest in the end.

3. You’re Not Planting the Garlic Cloves Deep Enough

Another reason you might not get the result you wanted is that you’re planting the garlic cloves too shallow.

When planting garlic, make sure to dig at least 3 to 4 inches deep, whether it’s in a raised bed or on top of a lasagna garden you’ve prepared.

If you plant them close to the surface, the cloves can be exposed to harsh winter weather and frost heaving, which can disrupt their growth or even kill them in the long run.

You don’t want all your hard work to go to waste because your garlic isn’t protected from the cold.

If you’re using mulch to protect your garlic, double-check that the cloves are still deep enough beneath it.

Even with mulch, those cloves need that extra depth to stay safe from freezing temperatures and to give them a better chance to thrive when spring arrives.

So, take a moment to check your planting depth before you cover everything up. 

4. Not Paying Attention to Your Soil

raised bed with compost and garlic cloves on top
Used From Our Raised Beds Facebook Group

When it comes to growing garlic, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is overlooking your soil. 

Garlic is what we call a heavy feeder, which means it really needs nutrient-rich soil to grow big and strong. 

If your soil is lacking in nutrients, your garlic just won’t thrive, and you might end up with tiny bulbs that don’t pack much flavor.

Since garlic usually prefers higher level of nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, you may want to give them some organic fertilizers like blood meal or bone meal for extra nitrogen.

Now, while nutrients are essential, you’ve got to be careful about how much nitrogen you add. 

Although nitrogen helps with leaf growth, too much of it can lead to a lot of green leaves and not much bulb action. 

Basically, your garlic will be busy growing tall instead of focusing on those tasty bulbs you want. You see, it’s all about finding the right balance.

So before you plant, take the time to mix in some well-balanced compost (something you can easily make at home) and organic fertilizers. 

This will give your garlic the nutrients it needs right from the start.

5. Planting Too Close Together

You might think it’s a good idea to plant as many garlic cloves as possible in a small space, but that can lead to problems. 

It’s important to keep a spacing of about 6 to 8 inches between each clove. 

When garlic plants are too close together, they’ll end up competing for nutrients and sunlight, which can really hold back their growth.

If they’re crammed together, they can hinder each other’s development, leading to smaller bulbs that aren’t as healthy. 

Giving them enough space allows each plant to thrive and reach its full potential. 

6. Not Mulching Enough

If you skip mulching or don’t apply enough, you could be missing out on some big benefits for your garlic.

After planting your cloves, make sure to add at least 6 inches of mulch right away to protect them during the winter. This layer helps keep weeds away by blocking the sunlight they need to grow.

Besides stopping weeds, mulching helps keep the soil moist, so your garlic gets the water it needs without drying out. 

It also protects the soil from washing away when it rains, which keeps your garlic's roots safe. As the mulch breaks down, it adds nutrients back into the soil, which helps your garlic grow better. 

Mulch also keeps the soil temperature steady, protecting your garlic from sudden cold or heat as well as attracting helpful bugs that can keep harmful pests away. 

By using mulch properly, you give your garlic a much better chance to grow healthy and strong.

7. Planting in Shaded Areas

One common mistake gardeners make is planting garlic in shady spots, thinking it’ll do just fine. 

But garlic really needs full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day to grow strong and healthy. 

If it doesn’t get enough light, it can struggle, leading to smaller, less tasty bulbs.

So, I suggest you find the sunniest spots in your garden for the best results. 

Look for areas that get plenty of light throughout the day and avoid planting near tall plants or structures that might block the sun.

You may also want to consider proper watering techniques to ensure the growth of your garlics.

Your garlic will definitely thank you for it.

8. You’re Planting the Smaller Bulbs

When you’re preparing to plant garlic, it’s best to skip the smaller bulbs.

You might think they’ll grow just fine, but smaller cloves usually end up giving you smaller bulbs and fewer of them. 

They simply don’t have the energy to grow into the big, flavorful garlic you’re after.

Instead, choose medium to large-sized cloves, as these are much more likely to grow into strong plants and deliver a great harvest.

So, when you’re picking out your garlic for planting, choose those larger cloves. 

It will make a big difference in how much garlic you get when it’s time to harvest

Avoiding these common mistakes when planting garlic can surely help you get a great garlic harvest. 

Whether you’re new to gardening or have some experience, just keeping an eye on timing, depth, spacing, and soil will make a big difference.

Happy gardening!

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