Types of Garlic
Garlic, a member of the genus Allium, is a relative of onions, leeks, and chives. Exceptionally tolerant of cold temperatures, garlic can be grown outdoors year-round in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7. Outside of these areas, some extra precautions for cold and warm temperatures can be beneficial. There are two kinds of garlic to choose from, softneck and hardneck. Their flavors are similar, but your growing conditions may dictate which one works best for your area. Softneck garlic tends to have smaller, but more numerous cloves within a single head and grows better in mild climates. Hardneck garlic, on the other hand, tends to produce larger, yet fewer cloves in a head and is hardier in colder climates. Hardneck garlic also produces a distinctive flowering stem, called a scape, down the center of the head. Softneck garlic will store for upwards of a year while hardneck garlic stores for roughly six months.
When to Plant Garlic in Pots
Whether you choose to grow hardneck or softneck, garlic should be planted in fall as temperatures begin to drop. Like other types of bulbs, garlic cloves will begin to put out roots well before their leaves emerge. By planting in fall, the cooler weather encourages garlic to begin producing roots without immediately sending up leaves, ensuring a jump start to spring growth.
How to Plant Garlic in Pots
After you have decided on the best type of garlic for you, purchase bulbs (often called seed garlic) from reputable garden centers and other trusted plant vendors. Using garlic from grocery stores isn’t the best choice because it may have been treated with growth inhibitors to prevent it from sprouting. Then, follow these five steps to plant garlic in pots.
Tips for Growing Garlic in Pots
Similar to other bulbs such as tulips, garlic needs a chilling period under 40℉ for approximately two months in order to develop properly. In especially cold winter areas, newly planted garlic cloves in outdoor pots should be protected. Cover the pot with a thick layer of straw or fallen leaves to avoid damaging the plants while they grow roots. Remove the protective layer in spring. You could also keep the pot in an unheated space like a garage until spring. Either way, water your potted garlic enough to keep it moist through the winter; don’t water if the potting mix is frozen. When your potted garlic begins to grow leaves after the chilling period, place the container in full sun (at least 8 hours per day) and provide plenty of water. In hotter, drier climates, this might mean daily watering. Every other week, fertilize your plants with a general purpose fertilizer or an organic fertilizer specifically formulated for garlic, such as Keene Garlic’s mix.
Can You Grow Garlic Indoors?
It’s possible to grow garlic in pots indoors. However, without the use of supplemental lighting, indoor garlic is best grown for its edible leaves rather than for the bulbs. Simply place planted cloves in a south-facing window once the leaves push through the soil surface, and keep the pot well watered. Fertilizing indoor garlic is not necessary as the cloves will have enough stored nutrients to support the leaves. Cut garlic leaves as soon as they’ve reached a few inches in length. The cloves may send up a second flush of leaves for one more harvest.
