Hardy and full-flavored, home grown garlic is one of the easiest crops to grow. Here's how:
Begin by preparing the soil. It should be about 12 inches deep and amended with compost and manure. Select garlic intended as seed. Separate a head of garlic into cloves. Plant each clove pointy side up about 4 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart. One head of garlic will typically yield 8-10 heads next year. Water in thoroughly. The garlic will sprout next spring. Maintain even moisture. Hardneck varieties will send up a strong central stalk or scape which should be cut. Once the foliage begins to die back in July and become mostly brown, pull or dig up the heads. Leave the stalk on and cure the garlic by hanging in a dry, dark area for three weeks. Trim off the leaves and brush off any dirt. Kept cool and dry, home grown garlic will last for months.
Plant garlic anytime in September or October for next year’s harvest!
