Hey there garlic lovers! I’ve been growing garlic for over 5 years now, and lemme tell you – garlic can totally be grown as a perennial! While most folks grow it as an annual crop, I’m gonna show you how to keep that garlicky goodness coming back year after year.
What Makes Garlic a Perennial Plant?
Garlic is naturally a perennial plant but most gardeners choose to grow it as an annual. Here’s the deal
- When left in the ground, garlic cloves multiply into clusters
- Each clove sprouts into new shoots the following season
- The plant reproduces both through underground bulbs and aerial bulbils
- Hardneck varieties work best for perennial growing
Benefits of Growing Perennial Garlic
Trust me, there are some awesome reasons to grow garlic as a perennial:
- No need to replant every year
- Year-round harvests of green garlic
- Free seed garlic forever
- Natural pest control for fruit trees and gardens
- Pretty garlic scapes add ornamental value
- Less maintenance over time
How to Start Your Perennial Garlic Patch
Getting started is pretty straightforward Here’s what ya need to do
-
Choose the Right Variety
- Hardneck varieties like Rocambole or Purple Stripe
- Elephant garlic also works great
- Avoid softneck varieties
-
Pick the Perfect Spot
- Full sun location
- Well-draining soil
- Near fruit trees or in perennial beds
- Away from grass invasion
-
Plant at the Right Time
- Plant in fall (6 weeks before first frost)
- Space cloves 6-8 inches apart
- Plant 2 inches deep
- Mulch well with straw
Maintaining Your Perennial Garlic
The beauty of perennial garlic is that it mostly takes care of itself! But here are some maintenance tips
Regular Care
- Water during dry spells
- Remove weeds as needed
- Add compost in spring
- Leave scapes on if growing as perennial
Division and Management
- Divide clusters every 2-3 years
- Harvest outer bulbs as needed
- Let some bulbs mature for eating
- Save bulbils for expanding patch
Multiple Ways to Harvest
One of the coolest things about perennial garlic is getting different harvests throughout the year:
-
Green Garlic (Spring)
- Pull young shoots
- Use like green onions
- Mild garlic flavor
-
Garlic Scapes (Early Summer)
- Curly flower stalks
- Great in stir-fries
- Can leave some to form bulbils
-
Fresh Bulbs (Mid-Summer)
- Harvest mature bulbs
- Use fresh or cure for storage
- Leave some for perennial growth
-
Bulbils (Late Summer)
- Tiny bulbs from scapes
- Use like garlic cloves
- Plant to expand patch
Common Questions I Get Asked
Q: Will my garlic bulbs get smaller over time?
A: They might if left overcrowded. That’s why dividing every few years is important!
Q: Can I grow perennial garlic in containers?
A: Yep! Just use big containers with good drainage and divide more frequently.
Q: What about diseases building up?
A: Good spacing and occasional division helps prevent most issues. Rotate if problems develop.
My Top Tips for Success
After years of growing perennial garlic, here’s what I’ve learned:
- Start with healthy seed garlic
- Don’t harvest everything – leave some to multiply
- Mark your patches so you don’t accidentally dig them up
- Use bulbils to expand your patch cheaply
- Plant near fruit trees for pest control benefits
Final Thoughts
Growing garlic as a perennial has been such a game-changer for my garden! It’s less work than replanting annually, provides harvests throughout the year, and just keeps on giving. While the bulbs might not get as huge as perfectly spaced annual plantings, the trade-off in convenience and sustainability is totally worth it.
Give perennial garlic growing a try – your future self (and your kitchen!) will thank you. Got questions about growing perennial garlic? Drop ’em in the comments below!
Would you like me to explain more about any part of growing perennial garlic? I’m always happy to share more details from my experience!
