Does anyone have advice for planting garlic? I have some cloves from the store that started sprouting, so while I realize they may not produce anything because they are from the store, I figured why not give it a shot?
Do they do best in the ground or are pots ok? How deeply do I plant them? How far apart? I’m presuming they need full sun.
I’m probably going to be doing less planting this year than previously. Money is tight, and our only daughter is getting married so there’s a lot going in that direction. We are trying to help out several family members, too, so I can’t afford to do as much as I would like to. Mostly just herbs and a few hanging baskets for color. It is what it is.
Depends on where you live. In Michigan we plant garlic in October and November. We plant cloves deep at least 6 inches and they slowly grow through the winter. They won’t do well in a pot. Just deep well drained soil, they grow a lot of roots. Our are about 14 inches tall. We harvest in October so in a year we get nice big heads. Hope some of this helps.
Yes full sun and about 4” apart at least.
I know everyone says that garlic and potatoes from the grocery store won’t grow well, but that has never been my experience. Whatever sprouting inhibitor is supposedly used must wear out fast.
I plant garlic cloves point-up, with the top just a little below the surface of the soil. For big bulbs, make sure the soil is loose and soft, and keep them at least 4 inches apart (I recommend 8 inches, but 4 is the minimum). If you don’t care how big or small the bulbs are, you can plant them closer. I grow for scapes, so sometimes I don’t even separate the cloves when planting.
For container growing, I’d look for a pot that’s at least a foot deep, with good drainage.
They definitely like full sun. After they get a few inches tall, I suggest a good layer of mulch to control weeds.
Harvest is usually late summer to early fall. You’ll know it’s time when the plants turn yellow and dry up. Pull or dig the whole plant if possible, so you can use the above-ground parts for hanging the bulbs with.
Garlic is generally planted in the fall, so save your best ones and replant before the weather turns cold.
When I have sprouting garlic, I put it in a pot near a sunny window and clip off the ‘leaves’ as they grow and use them like you would Chives.