3 Ways To Grow Bigger Garlic
Garlic is a favorite among home gardeners—not just because of its culinary versatility, but also because it’s relatively low-maintenance and rewarding to grow. However, if you’re looking for those fat, flavorful cloves you see at farmer’s markets, it takes more than just planting a bulb and hoping for the best.
The secret to growing bigger garlic lies in soil preparation, timing, and plant care. Let’s dive into three proven ways to grow garlic that’s not just good—but great.
1. Choose the Right Variety and Timing
Not all garlic is created equal. There are two main types: hardneck and softneck. If you live in a colder climate, hardneck garlic tends to do better and often produces larger cloves. In milder climates, softneck varieties might be the better pick, especially if you’re looking for longer storage.
Timing is everything. Plant garlic in the fall, typically 4–6 weeks before the ground freezes. This gives the cloves enough time to establish roots before winter without pushing out green shoots. Early root growth helps garlic develop strong, robust bulbs by the time it matures in late spring to early summer.
Pro Tip: Use only large, healthy cloves from disease-free bulbs. Avoid supermarket garlic if possible, as many store-bought varieties are treated to prevent sprouting and may not be suited for your growing region.
2. Improve Your Soil Game
Garlic is a heavy feeder. It needs nutrient-rich, loose soil to grow to its full potential. Compact or clay-heavy soils restrict bulb development, resulting in smaller cloves.
Here’s how to get your soil garlic-ready:
- Loosen the soil to at least 8–10 inches deep.
- Amend with compost or well-rotted manure to boost organic matter.
- Add nutrients, especially phosphorus and potassium. A balanced fertilizer or bone meal before planting works wonders.
- Check pH levels—garlic prefers a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mulching after planting not only insulates the cloves through winter but also helps retain moisture and prevent weeds come spring.
Also, don’t forget crop rotation. Garlic doesn’t like to grow in the same spot year after year. Rotate its location to avoid disease build-up and nutrient depletion.
3. Water, Weed, and Wait
Once spring rolls around and garlic begins actively growing, consistent care is key. Here’s what to focus on:
- Watering: Garlic likes consistent moisture, especially during the early growing stages. Aim for about an inch of water per week, but ease off as the bulbs begin to mature to prevent rot.
- Weeding: Garlic hates competition. Weeds steal nutrients and sunlight, both of which garlic needs in abundance to grow large bulbs. Hand-weed regularly or keep the beds mulched.
- Scape Removal (for Hardneck Varieties): When garlic starts forming a flower stalk (called a scape), remove it. This redirects the plant’s energy back into the bulb rather than into seed production.
Watch for signs of maturity in early summer—yellowing lower leaves and dry tips. Don’t wait too long to harvest, or cloves will start to separate and reduce storage life.
Final Thoughts
Growing bigger garlic isn’t rocket science, but it does require attention to timing, soil quality, and care throughout the growing season. Choose the right variety, prep your soil well, and give your garlic the love it needs—and you’ll be rewarded with big, flavorful bulbs that put store-bought cloves to shame.
Give these three steps a try in your next planting season and enjoy the satisfaction of homegrown garlic that packs a punch in every clove!
