The best time to plant garlic is in the fall, typically from September to mid- November or after the first frost. This timing allows garlic cloves to establish roots before winter and meet their chilling requirement, which is essential for good bulb development. In many areas, planting between October and November is common, with recommended spacing of about 10-15 cm apart and planting cloves 2.5-10 cm deep depending on soil type. If you miss the fall planting window, garlic can also be planted in early spring, but the cloves should be pre-chilled in the refrigerator for at least 6-8 weeks before planting to simulate the cold period they need to develop properly. Summary of garlic planting time and tips:
- Plant garlic cloves in fall, from September to November (or after the first frost).
- Plant cloves with the pointy end up and flat end down.
- Space cloves about 10-15 cm apart, 2.5-10 cm deep depending on soil.
- In heavy or wet soils, consider planting in modules or pots and transplanting in spring.
- If planting in spring, pre-chill cloves in the refrigerator for 6-8 weeks.
- Fall planting usually leads to larger bulbs due to longer growing period.
This timing strategy is widely recommended for healthy garlic growth and better bulb yields.
