October is when most gardeners start getting ready to pack things up for the season. We're trimming bushes, pulling weeds, and finally tackling those tomato vines that seemed impossible to tame all summer. By this point, we're about ready to tear it all down and say, "I'm done!"
But before you hang up your trowel for the winter, there's one more garden project worth tackling: planting garlic!
Garlic is the foundation of so many of our favorite dishes, from homemade sauces and soups to breads and seasoned butters. And the best part? It's a crop you can plant in the fall and look forward to harvesting the following summer.
We met with Cindy from Keene Garlic to learn how the experts prepare, plant, and care for their garlic. As Cindy explained, "Gardening is an art, not a science." While there are a few important steps to growing healthy garlic, there's plenty of room to adapt your approach to your own garden.
Here's how to get started.
Prepping your garden beds should start approximately 1–2 weeks before planting.
In northern climates, garlic is typically planted in the fall, often around October, giving the cloves time to develop roots before winter. The ideal planting window depends on your location and soil temperatures.
Garlic grows best in nutrient-rich, well-draining soil, so taking time to prepare your beds can make a difference in the following season's growth.
Two ways to support your soil before planting are incorporating Purple Cow Organics Activated Compost and applying your favorite garden fertilizer.
Activated Compost is made with plant-based compost that contains organic matter, nutrients, and beneficial soil biology. It's a great choice for preparing garlic beds, especially if your soil has a lot of sand or clay and could benefit from additional organic matter.
To prepare your garden beds with Activated Compost, spread a 1–2-inch layer over the soil surface and gently incorporate it into the top few inches of soil.
You can also apply your favorite fertilizer to help provide nutrients for your garlic as it establishes roots. Choose a fertilizer appropriate for garlic and your soil's nutrient needs, following the manufacturer's recommended application rates. Gently incorporate it into the soil and water as directed.
Taking time to prepare your soil in the fall helps give your garlic a healthy foundation for the growing season ahead.
If you've ever purchased garlic from Keene Garlic, you may already be familiar with their garlic preparation and fertilization soak.
This two-step process is intended to prepare garlic cloves before planting and provide additional nutritional support during early establishment.
Start by carefully separating your garlic bulbs into individual cloves.
Try to keep the protective papery covering intact and avoid damaging the base of each clove, where roots will develop.
The original Keene Garlic method includes a brief sanitizing soak using 70% isopropyl alcohol, 3% hydrogen peroxide, or vodka for approximately 10 minutes.
However, sanitizing treatments are not necessary for every gardener and should not be considered a guarantee against garlic diseases. Treatment effectiveness and potential clove damage depend on the method used. For current recommendations, follow the guidance provided by your seed garlic supplier.
Always start with healthy, disease-free seed garlic from a reputable source.
After preparing your cloves, Keene Garlic's method includes a second soak using the BIOACTIVE Liquid Biology Bundle.
The original recommended mixture is:
Mix the products into the water, then add your garlic cloves, making sure they are completely submerged.
The original Keene Garlic instructions recommend soaking the cloves for at least 20 minutes, with some gardeners preparing them the evening before planting.
If you're using this method, confirm that the current product instructions support the intended soaking application, mixture, and duration. Avoid leaving cloves submerged for extended periods without verified guidance, as prolonged soaking can damage planting material.
Once your garlic is prepared, it's time to get planting!
Now that your garden beds are ready and your cloves are prepared, it's time to get them into the ground.
You can dig individual holes or create a furrow, whichever works best for your garden.
Planting depth may vary depending on your climate and garlic variety, but cloves are commonly planted approximately 2 inches deep, with the pointed end facing up.
Space your garlic cloves approximately 6 inches apart to give each bulb plenty of room to develop.
If you're incorporating fertilizer at planting, use your favorite fertilizer according to its application instructions. Avoid placing concentrated fertilizer directly against the cloves, as excessive fertilizer salts can damage developing roots.
Cover your cloves with soil, gently firm the surface, and water as needed.
Keene Garlic also recommends covering freshly planted garlic beds with a layer of organic mulch to help protect them during colder weather.
You can use materials you already have available, including:
A loose layer of approximately 3–6 inches of mulch can help moderate soil temperatures and protect your garlic through the winter. Adjust the depth based on your growing conditions.
Mulch also helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds as the growing season progresses.
As temperatures begin to warm in the spring, check your garlic beds for new growth.
If your garlic is struggling to emerge through a thick layer of mulch, gently move some material aside to give the shoots room to grow.
Once your garlic begins actively growing, you can apply your favorite fertilizer to support early-season development. Choose a product suited to garlic's nutritional needs and follow its recommended application instructions.
If you're using the BIOACTIVE Liquid Biology Bundle as part of your growing routine, follow the product's current application directions.
Garlic doesn't compete particularly well with weeds, so regular maintenance is important.
You can grow companion crops nearby, including lettuce, carrots, and herbs, but make sure your garlic has enough space and isn't competing heavily with neighboring plants.
Maintaining a layer of mulch throughout the growing season can help suppress weeds and conserve soil moisture.
Garlic generally benefits from consistent moisture during active growth.
A common guideline is approximately 1 inch of water per week from rainfall or irrigation, although actual needs depend on soil conditions, weather, and plant development.
If spring and early summer are particularly dry, supplemental watering may be necessary.
As your garlic approaches maturity and harvest, gradually reduce watering to help the bulbs finish developing.
With healthy soil, carefully prepared cloves, and a little attention throughout the growing season, even beginner gardeners can enjoy a successful garlic harvest.
And there's something especially rewarding about planting one last crop in the fall, knowing that something delicious will be waiting for you next summer.
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