Garlic doesn’t only scare off Dracula! It also scares away pests, so growing garlic in your greenhouse is very useful and it is super easy!
You can grow 10-12 crops from one garlic bulb. It is a very efficient and simple vegetable that thrives perfectly in a greenhouse. Garlic, or Allium sativum, has very few problems and requires little maintenance. Therefore, it’s a great plant for beginners!
For best results, we compiled all our garlic growing tips so that you don’t have to learn it the hard way. To harvest your own greenhouse-grown garlic, learn how to grow garlic in your greenhouse!
Garlic has long been celebrated as a natural superfood and a versatile antibiotic, dating back to ancient civilizations.
One of its key components, allicin, is released when the garlic is crushed or minced. This compound is not only effective in addressing various health issues but also shows promise in fighting severe conditions like cancer and heart disease.
Scientific studies have confirmed garlic’s efficacy in neutralizing a range of harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Salmonella. Its rich nutrient profile, which includes calcium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, copper, selenium, and manganese, further enhances its immune-boosting properties. This makes it a potent defense against common ailments like the flu.
Beyond its health benefits, garlic also serves as a natural insect repellent, effectively warding off a variety of pests like ants, mosquitoes, ticks, and flies. This makes synthetic pesticides almost unnecessary when growing garlic.
As interest in organic and alternative medicine resurges, incorporating garlic into your wellness routine offers a natural way to enhance your health while reducing reliance on synthetic medications.
So why not take the simple steps to grow your own garlic in your greenhouse and reap its myriad benefits?
Growing garlic in a greenhouse allows you to enjoy fresh, homegrown garlic year-round. The controlled environment of a greenhouse enables you to customize conditions to optimize garlic growth. But exactly how long does it take to go from planting cloves to harvesting bulbs? Let’s explore the garlic growth stages and timeline in a greenhouse.
Overview of Garlic Growth Cycle
Garlic is grown by planting individual cloves which then sprout and develop into full bulbs. The growth stages are
- Planting – Inserting garlic cloves into soil
- Sprouting – Shoots emerge from cloves in 1-2 weeks
- Leaf growth – Greens continue growing for 4-6 weeks
- Bulb formation – Bulbs swell underground starting at 2 months
- Maturing – Lower leaves yellow as bulbs mature after 6-9 months
- Harvesting – Garlic can be harvested when 50% of leaves are brown
The total time from planting to harvest is typically 6-9 months depending on variety, conditions, and desired bulb size Now let’s look at a more detailed timeline
Timeline of Garlic Growth in a Greenhouse
Here is what you can expect in terms of duration for each growth phase when growing garlic in a greenhouse:
Planting
This first stage is fast – just a day or two to get the cloves inserted into soil or containers
Sprouting
- Expect to see sprouts emerging in 1-2 weeks after planting.
- Hardneck varieties may sprout slightly sooner than softneck.
Leaf Growth
- Leafy greens will continue growing taller for 4-6 weeks after sprouting.
- Provide adequate sunlight and nutrients during this stage.
Bulb Formation
- Swelling of bulbs underground begins around 2 months after planting.
- Bulb growth stage lasts a minimum of 4-5 months.
- Larger bulbs may take 6-8 months to fully size up.
Maturing
- Lower leaves start browning and dying back around 6-8 months after planting.
- The garlic is mature when about 50% of the leaves have turned brown.
Harvesting
- Ready for harvest once maturity indicators are seen.
- Typical duration is 6-9 months from planting date.
- Earliest harvest may be possible just over 6 months.
Factors Influencing Timeline
Several factors can accelerate or delay garlic’s maturation timeline in a greenhouse:
- Variety – Hardneck garlic may mature faster than softneck.
- Planting Method – Pre-sprouted bulbs mature faster than cloves.
- Conditions – Warmer temps and adequate water slightly speed growth.
- Soil Fertility – Rich soil with nutrients encourages faster maturity.
- Bulb Size – Bigger bulbs need longer underground growth time.
Growing Year-Round Garlic
A key benefit of a greenhouse is the ability to stagger plantings for year-round garlic harvests.
- Start new cloves every 2-3 months for a continuous supply.
- Maintain ideal temperatures and moisture levels for each stage.
- Harvest mature bulbs as needed while new plantings continue developing.
However, ensure bulbs have adequate time to size up before harvesting – around 6-9 months depending on variety and conditions. Rushing growth can result in undersized bulbs.
Monitoring Progress for Harvest
Pay close attention to leaves and test bulbs to determine optimal harvest timing:
- Monitor soil temperature and moisture weekly.
- Inspect leaves for yellowing/browning.
- Gently dig up a test bulb to check size about 6 months after planting.
- Best timing is when 50% of leaves are brown and bulbs reach desired size.
With the right greenhouse conditions, garlic takes approximately 6-9 months to grow from clove to mature bulb ready for picking. Staggered plantings allow for year-round harvests. Monitor soil, leaves, and test bulbs to identify peak maturity for harvesting plump, flavorful homegrown garlic.
TL;DR
- Total greenhouse growth: 6-9 months
- Sprouting: 1-2 weeks after planting
- Leaf growth: 4-6 weeks after sprouting
- Bulb swelling: Starts at 2 months
- Maturing: 6-8 months when lower leaves brown
- Harvest: When 50% of leaves are brown
- Stagger plantings for year-round harvests
- Check soil, leaves, test bulbs to time harvest
Garlic varieties for greenhouses
Before you start growing garlic in your greenhouse, it’s good to know about the main types of garlic. We are focusing on true varieties of garlic garlic, so we exclude elephant garlic.
Hardneck garlic gets its name from the stiff, woody central stalk, or “neck,” that runs through the middle of the bulb and extends above the ground. This “neck” is also where the garlic scapes, or flower stalks, emerge during the growing season.
- Larger bulbs with fewer, large cloves: Hardneck garlic bulbs typically have fewer cloves compared to softneck varieties. However, these types of garlic usually have larger cloves and are more uniform in size. They are usually arranged in a single layer around the central stalk.
- Climate preference: Hardneck garlic prefers colder winter climates which makes it great for unheated greenhouses.
- Scapes: Hardneck garlic produces curly flower stalks (scapes). They are often cut off to encourage the plant to put more energy into bulb development. However, they are edible so you can use them in cooking dishes.
- Storage: These garlic types generally have a shorter storage life compared to softneck varieties due to their thinner skin.
- Flavor: Many people believe that hardneck garlic has a more robust and complex flavor compared to softneck types.
Rocambole: Known for its thin skin and easy peeling. A popular variety is ‘Spanish Roja’.
Purple Striped: Varieties like ‘Starbright’ and ‘Chesnok’ are good for roasting.
Porcelain: Features a plump bulb with only a few fat cloves making the largest bulbs with the largest cloves. Good for storing, with varieties like ‘Georgian Crystal’ and ‘Romanian Red’.
Softneck garlic is another primary type of garlic that is commonly sold in grocery stores. Softneck garlic lacks a stiff, woody central stalk, making the neck soft and flexible. This characteristic also makes softneck garlic easier to braid for storage.
- More cloves: Softneck garlic bulbs often have more cloves than hardneck varieties. The individual cloves are usually smaller and can be arranged in multiple layers within the bulb.
- Climate adaptability: Softneck varieties are well-suited for warmer climates and are more adaptable to a variety of growing conditions.
- No scapes: Softneck garlic generally does not produce flower stalks, which means all the plant’s energy goes directly into producing a larger bulb.
- Storage: One of the significant advantages of softneck types is their longer storage life. The cloves are covered with multiple layers of papery skin, which helps with preserving the garlic for an extended period.
- Flavor: Softneck garlic is often milder in flavor compared to hardneck varieties, although this can vary.
Artichoke: This is the most commonly grown commercial garlic. It has a couple of concentric rows of cloves and is difficult to peel. A well-known variety is ‘Red Toch’.
Silverskins: This type has silvery, white skins and is composed of many small cloves. They also have a sturdy neck that is easily braided. The flavor is usually stronger than Artichokes. Varieties include ‘Nootka Rose’ and ‘Rose du Var’.
4 simple steps to grow garlic from cloves:
- Divide the garlic cloves from a fresh bulb: Be mindful not to break the cloves at their center, where they join at the base. If the base is destroyed, it will not develop. You also want to use a healthy bulb. Make sure each clove keeps its papery husk.
- Push every garlic clove 3-4 inches into the soil (or 2 inches if you’ll use mulch): Direct the pointed tip upward and the root side downward. Keep about 4-6 inches between the cloves and if planted in rows, keep 18 inches of distance.
- Cover the planted garlic cloves with mulch: Lay an organic mulch such as straw. This helps to nourish plants while keeping the soil cool and moist.
- Side-dress the garlic cloves or fertilize with compost: Fertilize repeatedly just before the bulbs start to swell or if you detect yellowing leaves.
Watch This Before You Plant Garlic
FAQ
How long does it take to grow garlic in a greenhouse?
It takes between 6 to 8 months until the garlic is at the “ready to pick” stage.
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.
What should you not plant next to garlic?
- Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)
- Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
- Beans (Phaseolus and Vicia)
- Leeks (Allium porrum)
- Onions (Allium cepa)
- Ornamental onions (Allium spec.)
- Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
- Peas (Pisum sativum)
How do I know when my garlic is ready to harvest?