Garlic is a beloved crop that thrives in gardens worldwide. While it's typically planted in the fall, many garlic varieties can also be successfully planted in spring.
If you're eager to cultivate garlic and haven't yet planted, or if your soil is too wet or heavy for fall planting, here are some spring-friendly garlic options that promise a rewarding harvest.
Garlic is categorized into hardneck and softneck varieties. Hardneck types are more resilient and thrive in cooler climates, while softneck varieties mature faster and are better suited for milder conditions, making them perfect for spring planting.
Is Spring Planting Garlic Possible?
While most gardeners opt for fall planting, you can still plant garlic in spring and enjoy a harvest. However, spring-planted garlic may yield smaller bulbs compared to those planted in the fall due to the shorter growing season.
For the best results, plant garlic bulbs as soon as the soil is workable in your US hardiness zone. Alternatively, you can start garlic in pots in a sheltered area, then move them outdoors when the weather warms up.
Spring Planting Garlic Varieties
Hardneck garlic can be planted in spring, but it requires cold exposure for optimal growth. Place the bulbs in the fridge for at least three weeks, preferably eight, before planting.
Always use high-quality seed garlic from trusted sources. Avoid using store-bought garlic to prevent introducing diseases into your garden; certified seed garlic is the way to go.
California Early
This popular softneck variety is a favorite in many US kitchens. It's easy to grow, maturing in about three months from spring planting, allowing for a summer harvest.
Expect around 6-10 cloves of mild garlic per head, and this variety can be stored for up to six months. You can find California Early bulbs at Burpee.
Early Italian
This quick-maturing softneck variety can be stored for up to 12 months. Early Italian produces large white bulbs with 8-12 cloves each and handles hot summers well, making it ideal for southern and western climates. Its mild flavor is versatile for various dishes. You can find Early Italian bulbs at Burpee.
Nootka Rose
Nootka Rose is a reliable softneck variety, producing 24 cloves per large bulb when planted in fall. Spring planting yields a mix of medium and large bulbs. This garlic features beautiful pinkish-red streaks and has a bold flavor, making it great for cooking. It's also ideal for braiding and stores well. You can find Nootka Rose bulbs at True Leaf Market.
Chesnok Red
This hardneck variety requires cold treatment before spring planting but offers a sweet, onion-like flavor that shines when roasted or sautéed. Chesnok Red bulbs have striking purple stripes, with up to 10 cloves each. You can find Chesnok Red bulbs at Burpee.
Silver Rose
This fast-growing softneck garlic is adaptable and thrives in various conditions, including warmer climates. Silver Rose has a mild flavor with about a dozen cloves per bulb, featuring pink-tinged skins. It's excellent for braiding and can be stored for up to a year. You can find Silver Rose bulbs at Nature Hills.
Inchelium Red
This softneck garlic is known for producing large cloves and exceptional flavor, even winning taste awards. Inchelium Red typically yields around 15 cloves per purple-tinged bulb, perfect for roasting or baking. You can find Inchelium Red bulbs at True Leaf Market.
FAQs
Can Elephant Garlic Be Planted in Spring?
Elephant garlic, known for its large bulbs and mild taste, is usually planted in fall but can also be sown in early spring. Spring-planted bulbs may yield a single large bulb at harvest, which can be used immediately or left to overwinter, splitting into cloves the following year. You can buy elephant garlic bulbs from Amazon.
What Is the Recommended Depth for Planting Garlic in Spring?
When planting garlic in spring, the cloves should be placed about an inch deep, similar to fall planting. Space each clove around 8-10 inches apart.
An alternative method for spring garlic cultivation is growing garlic in water to sprout greens. Place cloves in a container with an inch of water on a sunny windowsill, allowing green shoots to grow. These delicate shoots can be harvested when a few inches tall and used as a substitute for onions, leeks, or green onions in recipes.
