Garlic (Allium sativum) is a hardy perennial grown as an annual for its pungent, aromatic bulbs composed of multiple cloves enclosed in a papery skin. The plant emerges in early spring from a fall-planted bulb, forming a cluster of narrow, upright, grass-like green leaves that can reach up to 60 cm (24 inches) tall. Each clove within the bulb serves as a separate growth point, giving rise to a new plant. As the season progresses, hardneck varieties may send up a stiff, flowering stalk known as a "scape," which curls before straightening and producing small bulbils if left unharvested. The mature bulb, harvested mid-summer, is typically 4–7 cm (1.5–3 inches) across, with white or purple-streaked skin depending on the variety.
- Size: Height: 18–24 inches. Spread: 6–8 inches
- Planting Time: Fall (4–6 weeks before ground freezes)
- Soil: Loose, well-drained, rich in organic matter; pH 6.0–7.0
- Spacing: Plant cloves 5–10 cm (2–4 inches) apart, 5 cm (2 inches) deep, in rows spaced 30 cm (12 inches) apart
- Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours/day)
- Watering: Keep evenly moist during active growth; reduce watering as harvest approaches
- Mulching: Apply 5–10 cm (2–4 inches) of straw mulch after planting to insulate over winter and suppress weeds
- Fertilization: Lightly fertilize in early spring with a balanced organic fertilizer or compost
- Harvest: Mid to late summer when lower leaves begin to brown; cure bulbs in a dry, airy place for 2–3 weeks before storage
- Pests/Diseases: Watch for bulb rot in poorly drained soils and onion maggot in affected regions
- Fall planting ensures a strong root system before winter dormancy and leads to earlier, l