How to Grow Garlic Over Winter: Softneck and Hardneck Varieties

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Growing Garlic Over Winter: Softneck and Hardneck Varieties Planting Time Plant garlic cloves in fall, typically 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes hard (mid-October to early November in most regions). This allows roots to establish before winter dormancy. Site Preparation Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil. Garlic needs at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Work in compost or aged manure to improve soil fertility and structure. Garlic prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0). Planting Instructions Separate garlic bulbs into individual cloves just before planting, keeping the papery skin intact. Plant cloves pointy end up, 2 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart in rows spaced 12 inches apart. Larger cloves produce larger bulbs. Softneck Varieties These are better suited for mild winter climates and store longer than hardneck types. They don't produce a flower stalk (scape) and typically form multiple layers of smaller cloves. Softneck garlic is more cold-sensitive and may not survive extremely harsh winters without heavy mulching. Hardneck Varieties These thrive in colder climates and actually need a cold period (vernalization) to form proper bulbs. They produce a woody flower stalk in spring called a scape, which should be removed to direct energy to bulb growth. Hardneck varieties typically have fewer but larger cloves arranged in a single ring around the central stalk. Winter Care Apply 4-6 inches of mulch (straw, leaves, or wood chips) after planting to insulate the soil, moderate temperature fluctuations, and suppress weeds. In spring, you can pull back some mulch to allow the soil to warm. Water sparingly if winter is very dry, but generally winter precipitation is sufficient. Spring Growth Green shoots will emerge in early spring. Begin watering regularly as growth resumes, keeping soil moist but not waterlogged. Apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer in early spring to support leaf growth. Harvest Timing For hardneck varieties, harvest the scapes in late spring when they curl (they're delicious in cooking). Both types are ready to harvest when lower leaves turn brown but upper leaves remain green, typically late June to July depending on your climate and planting date.
Get your Hardneck garlic Bulbs HereGet your Softneck garlic Bulbs Here

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