Avoid Buying Garlic: Apply These 10 Tricks for a Never-Ending Garlic Supply

Garlic is a staple in kitchens across the world, revered not only for its distinctive flavor and aroma but also for its remarkable health benefits. It is known for its antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties, making it a key component in both culinary and medicinal applications. However, buying garlic regularly can be costly, and sometimes the quality of store-bought garlic doesn’t meet your expectations, especially if you’re looking for organic or sustainably grown produce.

The good news is that with a little planning and the right techniques, you can cultivate a perpetual garlic supply right in your own home or garden. Not only will growing garlic save you money, but it will also provide you with fresh, organic, homegrown garlic all year round. Below are 10 effective strategies to help you avoid buying garlic while enjoying a continuous and thriving supply from your very own garden or kitchen.

1. Choose the Right Variety for Your Climate and Needs

Selecting the right type of garlic is essential for success. There are two primary types of garlic that you can choose from: softneck and hardneck. Each has unique characteristics that cater to different growing conditions and culinary needs.

Softneck Garlic: Softneck garlic is the type most commonly found in grocery stores. It has a mild, versatile flavor and tends to store well for longer periods, making it a great choice if you want to ensure a steady supply. Softneck varieties are typically better suited for warmer climates and can be easily braided for storage.
Hardneck Garlic: Known for its robust, bold flavors, hardneck garlic produces larger cloves and is often favored for gourmet cooking. Hardneck varieties also send up garlic scapes—curly flower stalks that are edible and tasty in their own right. These varieties tend to grow better in cooler climates and are ideal if you’re looking for a richer garlic flavor.

Before planting, research which type of garlic is best suited for your climate and growing conditions, and consider what flavors you prefer in your cooking.

2. Plant at the Right Time for Optimal Growth

Timing is critical when it comes to planting garlic. Planting it at the correct time ensures that it gets the necessary cold exposure and growing time to mature properly.

Cold Climates: For colder regions, garlic should be planted in the fall—typically 6 to 8 weeks before the ground freezes. This allows the garlic to establish roots before the winter frost and ensures the bulbs are ready for harvest by mid-summer.
Warmer Climates: In milder climates, garlic can be planted in the late winter or early spring, when the soil is workable and the risk of freezing temperatures has passed. It’s important to give garlic plenty of time to grow, as it needs a long growing period.

The best time to plant will depend on your local climate, but in general, garlic needs to experience a cold period to trigger bulb formation, which is why fall planting is ideal in many cases.

3. Prepare the Soil Properly

Garlic thrives in well-drained, fertile soil. Before planting, it’s important to improve the soil by incorporating organic matter such as compost, well-rotted manure, or leaf mold. Garlic does best in soil that is loose and easy for its roots to penetrate.

Ideal Soil pH: Garlic prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil, with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. You can test your soil’s pH and adjust it with lime if necessary.
Good Drainage: Garlic is sensitive to waterlogged soil, which can lead to rot. Make sure your garden bed has excellent drainage, or consider planting garlic in raised beds if your soil is heavy or clay-like.

Working the soil in advance and ensuring it’s rich in nutrients will help ensure that your garlic grows healthy and strong.

4. Plant Garlic Cloves Correctly for Maximum Yield

Once your soil is prepared, it’s time to plant the garlic cloves. Separate each garlic bulb into individual cloves, being careful to leave the skins intact. Plant the cloves with the pointed end facing up, about 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart. This spacing allows enough room for each clove to develop into a full bulb.

Tip: Ensure the soil is not compacted when covering the cloves; garlic needs room to grow freely.
Tip: It’s best to plant garlic in rows or blocks for easy access when harvesting and managing the bed.

When planting garlic, be patient—each clove will grow into a full bulb, but it takes several months for this process to occur.

5. Mulch to Conserve Moisture and Control Weeds

Mulching is one of the best things you can do for your garlic. It provides several benefits that support healthy growth:

Moisture Retention: Garlic needs consistent moisture, and mulch helps retain water, reducing the need for frequent watering.
Weed Control: Mulch helps smother weeds that might compete for nutrients, allowing your garlic to grow without competition.
Temperature Regulation: Mulch helps regulate the soil temperature, keeping it cool in the summer and insulating it during the winter months.

Organic mulches like straw, grass clippings, or leaves work well. Spread a thick layer of mulch after planting, and top it up throughout the growing season if necessary.

6. Provide Adequate Water Without Overwatering

Garlic requires a consistent supply of moisture to thrive. However, it’s important not to overwater, as garlic is susceptible to bulb rot if the soil stays too wet for too long. To keep your garlic healthy:

Water regularly during dry spells, but allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation system to ensure the water reaches the roots without soaking the entire plant.

Garlic doesn’t need excessive watering, but it does require consistent moisture, especially during the spring and early summer when it’s actively growing.

7. Practice Proper Garlic Care Throughout the Growing Season

Once planted, garlic is relatively low-maintenance. However, there are a few things you should do to ensure the best results:

Weed Control: Keep the area around your garlic free from weeds by manually pulling them out. Weeds can compete with garlic for nutrients and space, so remove them as soon as they appear.
Fertilization: Garlic doesn’t need much fertilization, but you can feed it with a balanced organic fertilizer in early spring if the soil is nutrient-poor. Be careful not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to lush green growth but smaller bulbs.
Garlic Scapes: If you’re growing hardneck garlic, you’ll notice garlic scapes (curly flower stalks). Snip them off to direct energy back into the bulbs rather than into the flowers. You can use these scapes in cooking—they’re delicious and tender!

8. Harvest Garlic at the Right Time

Garlic is ready to harvest when the lower leaves start to turn yellow or brown, but several green leaves remain at the top. This typically occurs in mid-summer, depending on when you planted it. It’s important to harvest garlic at the right time to avoid bulbs splitting open or becoming too mature.

Harvesting Tip: Use a fork or shovel to carefully dig up the bulbs without damaging them. Avoid pulling them out by the stem, as this can cause bruising.
Curing: After harvest, hang the garlic in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area for about 2-3 weeks to cure properly. This will help dry out the cloves, making them easier to store.

9. Cure and Store Garlic for Longevity

Curing garlic is essential for long-term storage. After harvesting, hang garlic bundles or spread it out in a well-ventilated space to dry. Once the garlic has cured properly, trim the roots and stems, and store the bulbs in a cool, dry place.

Garlic can last for several months if stored in the right conditions. A pantry, cellar, or mesh bag works well for storing garlic. Avoid storing garlic in direct sunlight or in damp areas, as moisture can cause it to spoil.

10. Save Cloves for Replanting and Future Harvests

To ensure a never-ending supply of garlic, you’ll need to save the largest, healthiest cloves from your harvest to replant the following season. This helps maintain a high-quality garlic crop and allows you to grow a strain suited to your specific local growing conditions.

Tip: Label your saved garlic cloves to make sure you know which variety is which.
Tip: Replant cloves from your best-performing plants to improve your future yields.

Conclusion

With just a bit of planning and care, you can grow a continuous supply of garlic that will save you time, money, and trips to the store. By following these 10 practical tips, you can avoid buying garlic altogether, ensuring you always have fresh, organic garlic at your fingertips. Whether you have a sprawling garden or a small raised bed, growing garlic is one of the easiest and most rewarding crops to cultivate.

Start by choosing the right variety, planting at the ideal time, and following these steps for proper care and harvesting. Soon enough, you’ll enjoy a never-ending supply of garlic straight from your garden, adding flavor and health benefits