Key Facts
- Bulb-forming Allium grown for culinary use and as a garden crop
- Typically planted from individual cloves rather than seed
- Often planted in fall and harvested the following summer
- Produces a flowering scape on many varieties though scapes are removed by growers for larger bulbs
- Prefers full sun and well drained fertile soil
- pH near neutral to slightly acidic or slightly alkaline is best
- Spacing is commonly 4–6 in (10–15 cm) between cloves in a row
- Can cause hemolytic anemia in dogs and cats if ingested
- Variety type influences scape height and winter hardiness
Garlic is a bulb forming Allium grown for its edible cloves and sometimes for its ornamental flowering scapes. It makes a practical kitchen crop in full sun and well drained soil while posing a toxicity risk to dogs and cats.
Identification
Plants form a single bulb made of multiple cloves and a clump of strap shaped leaves. Many varieties send up a round scape that bears an umbel of flowers in late spring to early summer. Height ranges from about 12 to 36 inches depending on variety and whether scapes are present. Individual clumps typically occupy about 4 to 12 inches of space.
Where to grow and best uses
Grow garlic in full sun on fertile, well drained loam with good organic matter and a soil pH near 6.0 to 7.5. It is primarily a garden crop for bulb production and scapes are harvested for cooking or removed to increase bulb size. For reliable bulb formation growers commonly cultivate it in temperate regions roughly USDA zones 4 to 9 with the note that hardiness varies by cultivar and local winter chill.
Planting time and propagation
Plant individual cloves in fall and harvest the following summer. Vegetative propagation by planting cloves gives predictable bulbs. Some growers use seed but that method is uncommon for home bulb production. Variety type affects winter hardiness and scape height.
Spacing and bed layout
Space cloves about 4 to 6 inches apart in the row with rows roughly 12 to 24 inches apart. Wider spacing tends to produce larger bulbs while tighter spacing increases bed density.
Watering and soil care
Keep soil evenly moist but not wet. Soil that stays saturated or heavy reduces bulb size and increases risk of rot. Incorporate organic matter for drainage and fertility then avoid overwatering as the season progresses.
Flowering and after flowering care
Scapes appear in late spring to early summer and are often removed to direct energy into the bulb. After the tops mature and begin to yellow harvest bulbs in summer and cure them for storage.
Controlling spread and maintenance
Garlic multiplies by forming new bulbs and can naturalize where left in place. Control spread by lifting and dividing clumps when needed and by removing seed heads or scapes if you wish to limit self seeding or bulb increase.
Frequently asked questions
- How fast does Garlic grow?
- From a fall planted clove it completes bulb development over the winter and spring and is ready to harvest the following summer. Foliage commonly reaches about 12 to 24 inches before scapes appear on some varieties.
- Is garlic toxic to pets?
- Yes it is toxic to dogs and cats and can cause oxidative damage to red blood cells and possible hemolytic anemia if ingested.
- When should I plant garlic?
- Plant cloves in fall to allow winter chilling for bulb formation. Exact timing varies by climate and cultivar.
- How far apart do I plant cloves?
- Plant cloves about 4 to 6 inches apart in the row and space rows roughly 12 to 24 inches apart depending on bed layout and desired bulb size.
- Should I remove the scapes?
- Many growers remove scapes in late spring to increase bulb size, though scapes are also edible and useful in the kitchen.
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