Cobb County Extension

Growing Garlic in Georgia

Carolyn Gentry, Horticulture Program Assistant

Garlic is a perennial bulb that consist of small cloves covered in a papery wrapper.  It is a member of the allium family, which also includes leeks, shallots and onions.  Garlic is a key ingredient in a wide variety of recipes, often used to flavor dishes from every nationality.  The bulbs grow underground with leaves above ground.  It is easy to grow in the Georgia garden and can be co-planted with other flowers and vegetables. 

Planting suggestions:

Garlic is propagated by planting individual cloves.  Each bulb usually contains from 10 to 20 cloves.  From the biggest and healthiest bulb, choose only the largest outside cloves and plant each separately.  Dig a hole or trench 1 to 2 inches deep and place the unpeeled clove into the hole, 4 to 6 inches apart with the pointed side up.  Cover with soil and water thoroughly.  Garlic requires a consistent supply of water, however, too much will cause the bulb to rot.  Garlic should be watered in the morning to allow time for the plants to dry and should receive about an inch of water per week if planted in soil that drains well.

The best time to plant garlic is September through November in soil that has been amended with plenty of organic matter.  It requires 6 to 8 weeks of cool weather after planting to initiate bulb development.  Since garlic matures in the summer and has a long growing period of up to 8 months, planting in the fall will allow for good leaf development.  The quality of the bulb is dependent on the amount of vegetative growth because once bulb development starts leaf growth ends. 

Plant garlic in full sun in soil that is well drained and friable.  This can be achieved by adding, aged compost, composted manure, leaves and peat moss.  Add a complete garden fertilizer , such as 10-10-10 at a rate of 3 pounds per 100 square feet of garden.  Thoroughly till the soil mixing all the amendments.  As spring temperatures rise, bulb formation increases.  In June and July the leaves will begin to turn brown and the tops will fall.  This indicates maturity and watering should stop to prevent bulb rots.

Harvesting:

Garlic will be ready to harvest when the tops are dry and turn yellow, usually, from late May to mid July in Georgia.  Use a garden fork to loosen the soil and lift the bulb avoiding stem injury.  Let your healthy bulbs dry in the sun for several days, before storing them in a cool, dry place.  For bulb longevity and freshness store it in a place that is well ventilated and where the temperature doesn’t fluctuate much.  Always save the best formed and largest bulbs for planting the next season.

Recommended Cultivars:

While there are many cultivars of garlic, most can be classified into one of two basic groups; hard-necked garlic or soft-necked garlic.  Each group has its own cultivation requirements and particular flavor.  Hard-necked garlic grows in Georgia but prefers the colder winters and longer springs of the North.  Soft-necked garlic is more adaptable to the warmer climate of the South and will continue to grow during our erratic winters.   The following are types that grow well in Georgia.

Silverskins have a long storage life and are the types you find most often in your local grocery.  Bulbs have a sharp taste, 13 to 16 cloves each and are popular for making garlic braids due to their smooth shiny skin and nice shape.   

Artichoke varieties are strong growers with large bulbs.  They have overlapping layers of cloves generally with a milder and sweeter flavor. 

Elephant garlic is not a true garlic but a type of leek that produces very large cloves, has a milder flavor and shares the same growing conditions as true garlic. 

References:  Reeves, Walter & Rushing, Felder, 2002.  The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Book.

McLaurin, Wayne, & Eaker, Taft, & Adams, David, 2002, GarlicProduction for the Gardener.

www. Garlic-central.com.  2004. Growing Garlic in the Home Garden.

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