Each clove is actually a miniature bulb that stores energy to sprout and create a new plant.
Garlic is almost always planted as individual cloves.
Key to growing large heads of garlic is planting at the right time to develop a strong root system.
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Here’s what you’re gonna wanna know to keep your garlic patch going.
Root development triggers when temperatures remain below 40F.
Bigger, more established root systems produce bigger garlic heads with more cloves.
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Timing varies according toyour USDA hardiness zoneas well as key in of garlic.
Climates with long, cold springs can successfully raise aspring planted crop.
Soft neck varieties can also reach maturity when planted in early spring.
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Warm Autumns
When autumn temperatures remain warm, cloves may sprout early.
They die back after frost, but regrow in spring when temperatures warm up.
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Cloves have not developed and hardneck garlic has not put up a stiff central stem.
Stage 4: Scapes
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Scapes only develop on hardneck varieties.
Scapes can be eaten cooked or raw and have mild flavor similar to scallions.
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Removing scapes encourages larger garlic heads.
If left on plants, stems eventually uncurl to stand straight and scapes open to flowers.
Flowers only appear on hardneck varieties.
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Here are the differences between the two so you might pick which one is best for you.
Hardneck Garlic
Hardneck garlic is planted in autumn and better adapted tocold climates.
It produces a stiff central stalk topped by a garlic scape which eventually opens into a flower.
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Varieties averageeight to nine monthsfrom planting to harvest and have ashorter storage lifethan softneck varieties.
Flavor profiles are complex with many types featuring asharp, biting taste.
Softneck Garlic
Softneck garlic grows best inwarmer climatesand can be harvested infour to five months.
Varieties produce large heads with multiple cloves and soft stems suitable for braiding.
Theylast up to 12 monthswhen stored properly.
Softneck garlic ismilder and sweeterthan hardneck varieties.
It may have been stored for an extended time and lost vigor needed to grow a new plant.
The variety may not be suited to your climate.
Harvest hardneck garlic varieties when central stems to straighten, about three weeks after scapes first appear.
For softneck types, harvest whenlower leaves turn brown and dry up.
