As the crisp air of autumn sets in, it’s the ideal time to think about planting garlic in your garden. This wonderfully versatile bulb not only enhances your cooking but also offers numerous health benefits. Planting garlic during the fall provides it with a necessary cold period, promoting the development of large, healthy heads. Here’s your guide to getting started with autumn garlic planting.

Why Plant Garlic in Autumn?

1. Optimal Bulb Development: Garlic planted in the fall benefits from the winter chill, which is essential for the development of large, robust bulbs. The cold weather helps to divide the cloves within the bulb, resulting in more plentiful and larger garlic heads by harvest time.

2. Early Harvests: Planting in autumn allows garlic to establish roots and begin sprouting before the ground freezes. Come spring, these plants will be ready to take off, maturing faster than those planted in the spring.

Choosing the Right Garlic

There are two main types of garlic to consider:

• Hardneck Garlic: Known for its robust flavor, hardneck garlic produces fewer but larger cloves. It’s also known for its edible flower stalks or “scapes,” which can be harvested and used in recipes.

• Softneck Garlic: This type is what you typically find in grocery stores. It has more cloves per bulb, stores well, and is ideal for braiding.

Select quality bulbs from a garden center or online supplier. Avoid planting garlic cloves from the grocery store, as they may be treated to inhibit sprouting.

Planting Your Garlic

1. Soil Preparation: Choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-drained soil. Enrich the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to provide nutrients needed for growth.

2. Planting: Break the garlic bulb into individual cloves, being careful not to damage their papery skins. Plant the cloves about 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart, with the pointed end facing up. Cover them with soil and a generous layer of mulch (straw or leaves work well) to protect them from severe cold.

Caring for Your Garlic

• Watering: Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Garlic does not require a lot of water, particularly if you’ve mulched, which helps retain soil moisture.

• Spring Care: Remove the mulch in the spring once the threat of frost has passed. If you planted hardneck garlic, remove the scapes in early summer to encourage the bulbs to thicken.

Enjoying Your Harvest

Your garlic will be ready to harvest in early summer, when the lower leaves start turning brown. Harvest on a dry day, gently lifting the bulbs with a fork. Dry them in a well-ventilated area before storing.

By planting garlic this autumn, you not only set yourself up for a wonderful harvest next year but also enjoy the ongoing satisfaction of tending your garden. Here’s to a great planting season!