Can You Plant Garlic In Spring?

Garlic is usually planted in the fall before the first frost. Forgot to plant garlic or want to plant it in the spring? Garlic can be planted in the spring in most regions in the United States. Spring-grown garlic will produce smaller bulbs since the growing period is shorter. Some types of garlic need to go through vernalization when the cloves settle into the soil and go into a dormant period during the cold months before sprouting. When you plant garlic in the spring, you may have to simulate this process by placing bulbs in the fridge for several weeks before planting. 

What Type Of Garlic To Grow?

There are two types of garlic–hardneck and softneck–and each has numerous varieties to choose from. Hardneck does well in colder climates and has bigger cloves and stronger flavor profiles. Softneck prefers warmer weather and produces smaller cloves that tend to be milder in flavor. "Softneck is better suited for late spring planting," says Justin ‘Jules’ Giuliano, Lead Soil Researcher for Rosy Soil. "Softneck varieties have a shorter window to maturation."

 If you're in a colder region, growing an early-maturing hardneck variety in the spring may be the preferred option. Choosing the type, according to Carrie Spoonemore, co-founder of Park Seed’s app “From Seed to Spoon” and member of the National Garden Bureau, "often comes down to personal flavor preference and growing conditions."

Hardneck varieties go through a process of vernalization, which stimulates a plant's growth by being exposed to cold temperatures. This naturally occurs in the winter when garlic is planted in the fall. "As garlic is usually planted in the fall, it requires a wintry, cold period before it sprouts in the spring and begins above-ground growth," says Giuliano.  Vernalization can also be artificially created, such as placing a garlic bulb in the fridge. 

You may need to mimic the vernalization process when planting a hardneck variety in the spring. "To force garlic into spring production, simply put the seed garlic into a fridge around 40-50 degrees for 4-6 weeks," he says. The growing region and climate will influence if minimizing the vernalization process is necessary for a successful garlic harvest. "If you live in a tropical climate you may have to use vernalization for a longer period of time such as 6-8 weeks," Giuliano adds.

Where To Source Garlic

Just like purchasing seeds from nurseries or garden centers, garlic that you want to plant should be purchased from a reputed retailer. Have a garlic clove that is beginning to sprout in your kitchen? Before you contemplate planting the clove, know that store-bought garlic isn't ideal for growing. "Store-bought garlics are usually dried out and may be over a year old," explains Dick Zondag, horticulturist, owner of Jung Seed Company and member of the National Garden Bureau. "Even if they sprout they will be weak growers and will only produce small bulbs." 

Store-bought garlic is flown in from different parts of the globe. This means that planting a garlic clove may not be a variety that does well in your growing region. "Most grocery store produce is grown outside of the local environment," says Giuliano. "It may not be the best variety to flourish in your growing zone."

If nurseries are sold out for the season, an alternative is to buy from a farmer at a farmers' market or purchase locally sourced organic garlic. "You can buy an organic garlic from a local grocery store to get started," says Spoonemore. "The main trade-off with using grocery store garlic is that you may not know the exact variety you are planting."

Another thing to consider is garlic sold at the grocery store is often sprayed so it won't sprout. "Some store-bought garlics have been sprayed with inhibitors that delay sprouting of the garlic cloves or chemicals to prevent insect or disease problems," says Zondag. You don't want to invest your time only to find out several months later that you won't have a garlic harvest. 

Where To Plant Garlic

Garlic needs some depth for the bulb to grow. Grow garlic in a deep pot or in a raised bed. "I prefer to grow garlic within a raised bed instead of directly in the ground," says Spoonemore. "You can control the soil easier and make sure that it is a good consistency for a root crop." Choose a sunny area that receives plenty of direct sunlight each day, typically around six hours. 

How To Plant Garlic In The Spring

Ready to plant your garlic cloves? Here's a step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Prepare the Soil

Mix compost or aged manure into the soil to create a nutrient-rich soil. If planting in containers, make sure there are drainage holes to prevent soggy soil and cloves or bulbs from rotting. 

Step 2: Plant the Garlic Cloves

Garlic can be planted when the soil isn't too cold or frozen. Zondag says you can plant garlic cloves when the last frost has passed and the soil is thawed and no longer muddy. "Plant the garlic cloves 2-4 inches deep and 6-12 inches apart," says Spoonemore. If growing in several rows, space each row 12-18 inches apart, she adds. When growing garlic in pots, don't overcrowd the space by over planting cloves. "Give your garlic ample space in each pot to avoid stunting bulb growth," says Giuliano.

Step 3: Mulch the Garlic Bed

Once you've planted the garlic cloves and covered them with soil, you'll want to apply a layer of mulch to maintain soil temperature, suppress weeds and minimize water evaporating. "Apply 2-4 inches of organic mulch, like straw or leaves to retain moisture," says Spoonemore. "This helps the soil stay cool as temperatures warm up."

Step 4: Water the Garlic Plants

After you've put down a layer of mulch, it's time to water your garlic. Garlic likes to have moist soil but never too wet or soggy. Water about one inch per week if there isn't rainfall, says Spoonemore. 

Harvesting Spring-Planted Garlic

Garlic varieties take different amounts of time to grow. Typically, spring planted garlic is ready to harvest in late summer or early fall. Garlic leaves will provide clues when harvest time is approaching. "Harvest when lower leaves start to brown," says Spoonemore. "This is usually 4-8 months after planting, depending on variety."

Tips For Growing Garlic In The Spring

Knowing your climate will guide you in choosing the optimal varieties for your geographical region. "Research your garlic and find a variety that is best suited for your growing zone," says Giuliano.  

Want a better crop? "Always use mulch," says Giuliano. "This will keep the soil warm, reduce erosion, protect soil microbiology, and retain more water in the soil—all vital things for garlic."