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The best time to plant garlic in the spring is as soon as the soil is workable, usually a few weeks before the last expected frost.
If you missed the fall planting window, you can absolutely plant garlic in the spring, and it will still produce a harvest, though the bulbs may be smaller.
Spring planting of garlic is a totally viable option for gardeners who forgot to get their cloves in the ground the previous autumn, and it’s a great way to salvage a garlic crop for the season.
In this post, we’ll dive into when to plant garlic in the spring, the best conditions for success, and how you can still get a tasty harvest by planting garlic in the spring.
Let’s dig into the details so you can get those cloves in the ground with confidence.
When To Plant Garlic In The Spring: Timing It Right
Knowing exactly when to plant garlic in the spring is crucial for giving your cloves the best chance to grow into full bulbs.
The golden rule for spring garlic planting is to get the cloves into the ground as early as the soil can be worked, which means it’s not waterlogged or frozen solid.
In most regions, this translates to late February through early April, depending on your local climate and hardiness zone.
If you’re wondering when to plant garlic in the spring, the key is to aim for a time when the soil temperature is still cool, ideally between 40°F and 50°F (4°C to 10°C).
Planting garlic in the spring during this cool period is essential because garlic needs a period of cold exposure, called vernalization, to trigger bulb formation.
By planting garlic in the spring early enough, you give the cloves that necessary chill, even if it’s not as long as a full winter in the ground.
The exact timing for when to plant garlic in the spring also depends on your region, so let’s break down a few scenarios.
1. Northern Climates With Harsh Winters
If you live in zones 3 through 5, your winters are long and cold, and the ground stays frozen well into early spring.
For you, the best time for planting garlic in the spring is as soon as the snow melts and the top few inches of soil thaw out.
This usually happens in late March or early April, and you’ll want to act fast to get your cloves in the ground.
Since your growing season is shorter, when to plant garlic in the spring becomes a race against time, so prepare your soil in the fall or as soon as it’s accessible.
You can even plant garlic in the spring into still-slightly-frozen ground if you’ve prepared the beds in advance, as the cloves will wait for the soil to warm.
2. Mild or Warmer Climates
If you’re in zones 7 through 9, your winters are mild, and the soil might be workable as early as February.
When to plant garlic in the spring in these areas is much earlier, often in late February or early March, before the heat of late spring arrives.
Planting garlic in the spring in warmer zones needs to happen early because garlic struggles in hot temperatures above 80°F (27°C).
If you delay planting garlic in the spring until April or May, the cloves may not get enough cold weather, resulting in small, poorly formed bulbs.
For these climates, you might even consider pre-chilling your cloves in the refrigerator for four to six weeks before planting garlic in the spring to mimic winter.
3. Check Your Soil, Not Just The Calendar
The best way to determine when to plant garlic in the spring is to test your soil’s readiness rather than relying on a fixed date.
Grab a handful of soil and squeeze it into a ball; if it crumbles easily when you poke it, it’s workable.
If it forms a sticky, muddy clump, wait a week or two, as planting garlic in the spring into overly wet soil can cause the cloves to rot.
Also, check the forecast; you want to plant garlic in the spring when there’s no heavy rain expected for a few days.
By focusing on soil condition, you’ll know exactly when to plant garlic in the spring in your unique garden.
How To Plant Garlic In The Spring For The Best Results
Once you’ve figured out when to plant garlic in the spring, the next step is getting the planting technique right.
Planting garlic in the spring is similar to fall planting, but there are a few tweaks that can improve your success.
1. Choose The Right Garlic Variety
For spring planting, you’ll want to choose softneck garlic varieties, as they are more adaptable to shorter cold periods.
Hardneck varieties need a longer vernalization, so planting garlic in the spring with hardnecks might result in smaller bulbs, though it’s still worth a try.
Buy your garlic from a local nursery or seed company, and avoid supermarket garlic, which is often treated to prevent sprouting.
If you’re planting garlic in the spring for the first time, go with a softneck like ‘California Early’ or ‘Inchelium Red’ for the best chance of a good harvest.
2. Prepare Your Soil With Nutrients
Before you plant garlic in the spring, work some compost or aged manure into the top six inches of soil.
Garlic is a heavy feeder, and spring planting garlic means it needs all the help it can get to grow quickly.
Add a balanced fertilizer, like a 10-10-10, at the time of planting garlic in the spring, and mix it in well.
Good drainage is also vital, so if your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds for planting garlic in the spring.
3. Plant Cloves At The Right Depth
When you plant garlic in the spring, place each clove about two inches deep, with the pointed end facing up.
Space the cloves about four to six inches apart, with rows eight to twelve inches apart.
After planting garlic in the spring, water the bed thoroughly to settle the soil around the cloves.
Then, add a layer of mulch, about three inches of straw or leaves, to help retain moisture and keep the soil cool.
Mulching is especially helpful when you plant garlic in the spring, as it moderates soil temperature and suppresses weeds.
4. Water and Feed Consistently
After planting garlic in the spring, you’ll need to keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy.
Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on rainfall, as garlic needs consistent moisture for bulb development.
About a month after planting garlic in the spring, give your plants a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, like blood meal or fish emulsion.
This extra boost helps the leaves grow strong, which directly supports the bulb below.
Stop fertilizing once the bulbs start to size up, usually in late spring or early summer.
Tips For A Successful Spring Garlic Harvest
Planting garlic in the spring doesn’t have to yield disappointing results if you follow a few smart strategies.
1. Keep The Cold Going Longer
Since you’re planting garlic in the spring, you’re working against the clock for vernalization.
To help, you can keep a thick layer of mulch over the bed for a few extra weeks after planting garlic in the spring.
The mulch reflects heat and keeps the soil cooler, extending the cold period that garlic craves.
Alternatively, you can start your cloves indoors in a cool garage or basement for a few weeks before planting garlic in the spring outdoors.
2. Don’t Forget The Scapes
If you planted hardneck garlic in the spring and it sends up curly flower stalks, called scapes, cut them off as soon as they appear.
Scapes pull energy away from bulb growth, so removing them helps the garlic focus on swelling underground.
Plus, scapes are delicious, so you can sauté them or use them in pesto while they’re fresh.
This is a win-win when you’ve planted garlic in the spring and want every bit of the harvest.
3. Harvest At The Right Time
When you plant garlic in the spring, your harvest will likely come a bit later than fall-planted garlic, usually in late July or early August.
Watch for the lower leaves to turn brown and dry out while the upper leaves stay green, that’s your signal to dig up the bulbs.
Don’t wait too long, as garlic planted in the spring can split or rot if left in the ground too long.
Cure your harvested garlic in a dry, shady place for two to three weeks before storing.
So, When To Plant Garlic In The Spring?
The question of when to plant garlic in the spring comes down to getting those cloves in the ground as early as possible.
You should plant garlic in the spring as soon as the soil is workable, which is typically a few weeks before the last frost.
Planting garlic in the spring is not only possible, but it’s also a rewarding way to grow your own bulbs even if you missed the fall window.
Whether you’re in a cold northern zone or a mild southern one, the timing is all about soil readiness and cool temperatures.
So, when to plant garlic in the spring? The answer is simple: plant garlic in the spring at the earliest opportunity, and your patience will pay off with a harvest you can be proud of.
Happy gardening, and enjoy every clove you plant garlic in the spring.