Garlic is one of the most rewarding crops to grow at home. The pungent bulbs add incredible flavor to dishes and can be used in endless recipes. Plus, growing your own garlic is much more cost effective than buying it at the grocery store. But before you plant, you may be wondering – how long does garlic take to grow?
The total growing time ranges from 8 to 10 months depending on the variety and climate There are some fast maturing cultivars that are ready in as little as 100 days, But most types need a full growing season to reach maturity, Here’s an overview of the garlic growth timeline and what to expect at each stage
Planting Timeline
When you plant garlic makes a big difference in when you’ll be able to harvest There are two main planting times – fall and spring
Fall – Most gardeners plant garlic cloves in the fall about 4-6 weeks before the first frost date. Fall planting allows the garlic to establish roots before winter dormancy. It needs a period of cold temperatures below 40°F for at least 8-10 weeks. After overwintering, the plants wake up and start growing quickly in spring. Fall-planted garlic matures in summer.
Spring – Some gardeners also plant garlic in early spring once the soil can be worked. Spring planting is best suited for mild climates. The bulbs mature faster, usually in late summer or early fall. Keep in mind spring-planted garlic won’t grow as large as fall-planted.
Growth Stages
From planting to harvest, garlic goes through a series of growth stages:
1. Germination
This first stage starts when you plant the individual garlic cloves in fall or spring. Each clove will sprout, sending up a green shoot and growing roots down below. It takes 1-2 months for cloves to germinate and sprout.
2. Leaf Growth
Over the next 4-5 months, the above ground leafy part of the plant grows rapidly. The long, green foliage collects sunlight for photosynthesis. During this stage the underground bulb begins to form, but stays small.
3. Bulbing
About 6 months after planting, bulbing accelerates as the cloves start to swell and mature. For large bulbs, it’s important to keep plants consistently watered and fertilized during this stage. Stop watering when the lower leaves start to brown and die back.
4. Maturity
8 to 10 months after planting, garlic reaches maturity. This is signaled by the lower leaves turning yellow and starting to dry up. Bulbs will be fully divided into cloves and have papery outer wrappers. Avoid leaving mature bulbs in the ground too long or they may start to split.
5. Harvest
Once the lower third of foliage is yellow and dried, the bulbs are ready for harvesting. Use a garden fork to gently lift them from the soil. Brush off excess dirt but don’t wash them yet. Let the bulbs cure for 1-2 weeks in a warm, dry spot before cleaning off the skins.
6. Storage
After curing, store harvested bulbs in a cool, dry place around 55°F. Properly stored garlic will last up to 8 months. Save your largest, healthiest bulbs to use as planting stock for the next season.
Factors that Affect Growth Rate
Several factors influence how quickly garlic matures from planting to harvest:
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Variety – Early and late maturing cultivars range from 90 days to 120+ days to reach harvest size.
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Climate – In warmer regions, garlic grows faster and matures sooner. Cooler climates result in slower growth.
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Planting Method – Fall planted garlic takes longer than spring planted. But fall yields larger bulbs.
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Soil Conditions – Loose, fertile soil encourages fast growth. Dense or nutrient deficient soil will slow bulbing.
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Watering – Consistent moisture during growth produces big bulbs quickly. Under or overwatering can retard maturity.
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Pests & Disease – Insect or fungal attacks put stress on plants, potentially delaying development.
Paying close attention to all these factors will help ensure your garlic reaches its maximum potential within the shortest time frame.
Tips For Faster Maturing Garlic
If you’re eager to harvest homegrown garlic sooner, here are some useful tips:
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Choose fast maturing softneck cultivars appropriate for your climate.
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Plant cloves in spring once soil temperatures warm up.
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Prepare planting beds with compost or fertilizer to enrich the soil.
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Use row covers or cloches to boost warmth in spring and early summer.
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Water thoroughly during bulbing stage and taper off towards maturity.
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Weed regularly to reduce competition for nutrients and water.
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Control pests like thrips which can slow growth and damage bulbs.
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Cure bulbs for only 1 week before enjoying fresh harvested garlic!
When you provide optimal conditions for your garlic, you’ll be rewarded with an abundant harvest in the shortest time possible. Just be patient through the long growing season, and soon you’ll be cooking with your own fresh garlic. Let us know in the comments if you have any other tips for speeding up garlic growth!
How Long Does Garlic Take To Grow?
FAQ
How long does it take for garlic to grow from a clove?
How do you know when garlic is ready to harvest?
Garlic is typically ready to harvest when the lower leaves start to die back and turn brown, and the stems begin to bend over. For hardneck varieties, the scape (the flower stalk) will also straighten up when the bulb is ready.
What is the best month to plant garlic?
The best time to plant garlic is September to mid-November or after the first frost. You’ll probably have some room in your garden boxes around then. You harvested a lot, and there’s not all that much left to sow. Enter garlic: the easiest vegetable there is.
Does garlic come back year after year?
Most people grow it as an annual, but if you harvest only the big plants and leave behind the small ones, you’ll have a perennial garlic that regrows every year. Close relatives include onions, shallots, and leeks.
How long does garlic take to grow?
Garlic is a slow-growing crop, and it takes about 9 months from planting to harvest. This can be frustrating for impatient gardeners, but it is important to remember that garlic needs time to develop its roots, bulbs, and scapes.
How big does garlic grow?
Typically, garlic grows about 2 feet tall and generates about 20 cloves, though this depends on the variety. Garlic is usually propagated by planting cloves, but you can also use seeds. Let’s start with the fun stuff.
Is garlic easy to grow?
Garlic is a fairly easy plant to grow. Sydney backyard gardens are well suited for this crop as basic growing criteria are met. Minimal care is needed once the plants are established after initial planting, and they tend to produce a good harvest at the end of the season.