12 Smart Tips for Growing Bigger, Better Garlic This Spring

12 Smart Tips for Growing Bigger, Better Garlic This Spring 🧄

Garlic is one of those crops that feels simple—until you try to grow it yourself. Trust me, I learned this the hard way. My first garlic patch was a total disaster—fungus, rot, stunted bulbs—you name it. But over five years of trial and error in my mom’s backyard garden, I’ve learned what really works.

So if you’re ready to grow garlic that’s plump, flavorful, and long-lasting, here are 12 smart garlic-growing tips you’ll want to follow this spring.

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Why Spring Garlic Care Really Matters

Spring isn’t just about tulips and sunshine—it’s garlic’s prime growth season. This is when bulbs bulk up, and the care you give them now can double your harvest size by summer.

From soil prep to watering techniques, spring is the time to make or break your garlic crop.

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1. Choose the Right Garlic for Your Growing Zone

Not all garlic is created equal.

Hardneck varieties are ideal for colder climates.

Softneck varieties do best in milder, warmer zones.

Choosing the wrong type can result in stunted growth or low yield. Check your USDA planting zone or local extension office for guidance.

Keyword Target: best garlic type for my climate

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2. Ensure Excellent Drainage

Garlic and soggy soil do not mix. Excess moisture can lead to rot and fungal infections—especially in spring.

Use raised beds, grow bags, or sandy loam soil to improve drainage.

Avoid heavy clay soils unless amended with compost or sand.

Keyword Target: how to prevent garlic rot in wet soil

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3. Loosen the Soil Around Bulbs

As garlic bulbs swell in spring, compacted soil can hold them back.
Gently loosen the soil around each plant without damaging the roots to give them room to grow.

Pro tip: Use a hand fork or cultivator—not a shovel.

Keyword Target: how to make garlic bulbs grow bigger

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4. Apply Balanced Fertilizer Early in Spring

Feed your garlic with a balanced 10-10-10 NPK fertilizer or a slow-release organic option early in the season.

Avoid overdoing nitrogen past mid-spring, or you’ll get big leaves and tiny bulbs.

Keyword Target: best spring fertilizer for garlic plants

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5. Mulch to Lock in Moisture and Control Weeds

A good 2–3 inch layer of straw, dried leaves, or compost helps retain moisture and smother weeds.

Plus, mulch keeps soil temps steady during unpredictable spring weather.

Keyword Target: best mulch for garlic growing

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6. Water Deeply, Not Frequently

Overwatering garlic is one of the fastest ways to ruin a crop.

Water only when the top inch of soil feels dry

Give a deep soak, then let the soil dry out

This method encourages strong root growth and prevents rot.

Keyword Target: how often to water garlic plants in spring

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7. Keep Garlic Beds Weed-Free

Garlic has shallow roots, and weeds can outcompete them fast.

Hand-weed regularly or keep mulch thick enough to prevent unwanted growth.

Keyword Target: weed control for garlic patches

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8. Remove Garlic Scapes (Hardneck Varieties Only)

When curly green scapes show up in late spring or early summer, cut them off.

This tells the plant to focus energy on bulb formation, not flowering.

Bonus: Garlic scapes are edible—delicious sautéed or blended into pesto.

Keyword Target: should I cut garlic scapes for better bulbs

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9. Stop Watering Two Weeks Before Harvest

About two weeks before you plan to harvest, stop watering completely.

This allows the bulbs to “cure” naturally in the soil, helping reduce mold and extending storage life.

Keyword Target: when to stop watering garlic before harvest

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10. Harvest at the Right Time

Timing is everything.

Harvest when the lower 2–3 leaves are yellow, but the top leaves are still green.

Don’t wait until all the leaves die—your cloves may separate and store poorly.

Keyword Target: when to harvest garlic for best results

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11. Cure Garlic Properly After Harvest

Hang or spread out your harvested garlic in a dry, well-ventilated, shaded space for 2–3 weeks.

This step boosts flavor and significantly improves how long your garlic will last in storage.

Keyword Target: how to cure garlic after harvesting

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12. Save Your Best Bulbs for Planting

Want bigger bulbs next year?
Select the largest, healthiest cloves from this year’s crop and save them for fall planting.

Planting your best garlic ensures stronger genetics and better harvests season after season.

Keyword Target: saving garlic cloves for replanting

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Final Thoughts: Grow Garlic Like a Pro This Spring 🌱

Garlic isn’t a “plant it and forget it” crop—it needs intentional spring care. But if you follow these smart tips, you’ll avoid common mistakes and grow larger, tastier, and more reliable bulbs.

From better drainage to strategic harvesting, every little change makes a difference. Now it’s your turn—get into the garden and grow some greatness.

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