How to Plant a Garlic Clove: Grow This Easy Garden Staple

Have you ever looked at a head of garlic and thought, “Could I plant this in my garden? Would it grow?” You’re not the only one. Learning how to plant a garlic clove is one of the best things a home gardener can do—it’s easy, forgiving, and the payoff is well worth it.

Whether you’re a seasoned grower or brand-new to backyard gardening, garlic is one of those crops that makes you feel like you’ve got this. Let’s walk through it together—step-by-step, so grab your cup of coffee.

Why You Should Plant Garlic at Home

Garlic does so much for us. It flavors nearly every meal, stores for months, and even helps keep pests out of the garden. It’s also one of the most dependable crops you can grow.

Once you learn how to plant a garlic clove and give it a proper start, it quietly works its magic under the soil all winter long. When spring rolls around, you’ll be surprised at how well it grows with just a little care.

I remember the first time I planted garlic. I didn’t have much space and wasn’t sure I was doing it “right.” But by the next summer, not only did I get to enjoy my first garlic scapes, but I also had a row of beautiful bulbs drying on the porch, and I haven’t looked back since.

How to Plant a Garlic Clove

When to Plant Garlic

For most climates, garlic grows best when planted in mid to late fall, about 2–4 weeks before the ground freezes. This gives it time to set roots but not sprout too much.

Zone 10+ (mild winters): Some folks plant in late winter or early spring, but fall planting gives better bulbs

Zone 3–6: Mid to late October

Zone 7–9: November to early December

Not sure what your Plant Hardiness Zone is? No worries, here’s an easy way to find your Zone by using a zip code search. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

How to Plant a Garlic Clove: Step-by-Step

1. Choose the Right Garlic
   Use seed garlic from a local grower or seed supplier—not the kind from the grocery store, which is often treated not to sprout.
   
2. Prep Your Soil
   Garlic loves rich, well-draining soil. Mix in compost or well-rotted manure before planting. Aim for a soil pH between 6 and 7, and make sure your spot gets full sun.
   
3. Break the Bulbs into Cloves
   Carefully separate the garlic bulb into individual cloves. Keep the papery skins on.
   
4. Plant the Cloves Pointy-End Up
   • Plant each clove 2 inches deep
   • Space them 4–6 inches apart in rows
   • Leave 10–12 inches between rows
     
5. Mulch the Bed
   Cover the soil with a thick layer of straw, leaves, or grass clippings. This protects the cloves from frost and keeps weeds at bay.
   
6. Let Nature Work
   In some areas, you might see green shoots pop up before winter—that’s fine. The real growth kicks off in early spring.

Caring for Garlic Through the Seasons

Once you’ve planted your garlic cloves, the rest is low-maintenance:

1. Water: Only if the weather is dry. In spring, garlic needs steady moisture.
2. Weeding: Garlic hates competition, so keep beds tidy.
3. Feeding: A light compost tea or fish emulsion in spring gives a good boost.
4. Stop watering: Two weeks before harvest to help bulbs dry down.

When to Harvest

You’ll know it’s time to harvest when:

• About half the leaves turn yellow or brown
• The tops begin to fall over naturally

Use a garden fork to gently lift the bulbs—don’t pull them by the tops. Brush off the soil, but don’t wash them yet. Let them cure in a dry, airy spot out of direct sun for about 2–3 weeks.

Old-Time Wisdom for Better Garlic

Here are a few tips learned the hard way over the years that have made all the difference in our garlic harvests:

• “Plant garlic on the shortest day, harvest on the longest.” It’s not exact, but it’s a good rule of thumb.
• Rotate your crops—don’t grow garlic where onions or other alliums were last year.
• Save your best bulbs each season to plant again next fall. Your garlic will improve year by year.
• Good garden neighbors include lettuce, carrots, and beets. Garlic is a great companion plant.

Why Garlic Belongs in Every Backyard Garden

Knowing how to plant a garlic clove gives you a powerful tool for food security, flavor, and self-sufficiency. Garlic doesn’t take up much space, stores for months, and gives back tenfold come harvest time.

Even if all you can spare is a corner of your raised bed or a large pot on the porch, you can grow garlic. It’s a plant that meets you where you are.

Wrap Up

Garlic has a way of humbling you and lifting you up all at once. It’s simple to plant, forgiving to grow, and deeply satisfying to harvest. So if you’ve been wondering how to plant a garlic clove, I hope you feel ready to dig in.

If you’ve got garlic stories or tips of your own, share them in the comments. We love learning from each other around here. Read more about preserving food from your garden.

Here’s to healthy foods from our gardens!