Since the weather has been getting a bit cooler lately I decided yesterday would be the perfect day to plant garlic bulbs.  The garlic won’t be ready to harvest until next summer, but for the Pacific Northwest area, now is the perfect time to plant.

If you have never planted garlic before it’s super easy.  You should be able to find certified garlic bulbs at most local nurseries as well as online this time of year, but stock may be limited.

To plant garlic, you’ll first break the bulb apart and inspect the cloves for any damage.  Then, plant the garlic about 2″ deep and about 6″ apart in loose, well drained soil.

Once you have your garlic lined up in pretty little OCD like rows, cover the garlic with soil.

Once the leaves begin to fall, I also like to cover my garlic patch with a couple inches of leaf litter as well to help insulate the bulbs from the cold.  I don’t know about you, but I use garlic practically every day in my cooking, so it’s really nice to be able to grow it in my backyard each year for a nice stash when I need it.

How to Plant Garlic

• Plant cloves 6 to 8 weeks before a hard freeze so the roots have a chance to get established
• Do not break cloves until you are ready to plant
• Plant cloves 2″ deep with the root end down and the point side up
• Space cloves 4″- 6″ apart {depending on size}

Will you be growing garlic this year?

How many bulbs do you usually by each year and when do YOU plant your garlic?

Looking for more information in growing, cultivating and enjoying garlic?  Check out the book The Complete Book of Garlic By Ted Jordan Meredith.  Amazon currently has it in stock and ready to ship.