Garlic

Hardneck (existing planting)

Amaryllidaceae

Spacing9 per sq ft

Days to Harvest180d

Expected Yield9 bulbs

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Variety History

Garlic was planted late January in Bed D. Hardneck varieties produce scapes in June and store 4-6 months after curing.

Regional Context

Garlic thrives in the PNW. Plant cloves in October for next year's crop. Bainbridge winters are mild enough that garlic overwinters without protection.

Growing Technique

Side-dress with compost or blood meal in April and again in May. Stop feeding mid-May. Cut scapes (the curly flower stalks) in June when they curl -- this pushes energy into the bulb. Harvest early-to-mid July when bottom 3-4 leaves are brown but top 5-6 are still green. Dig, do not pull. Cure in a shaded airy spot for 2-3 weeks.

Watch For

Harvesting too late causes bulbs to split and storage life to plummet. If rain is forecast near harvest, pull earlier rather than later.