Growing Garlic in November: A Complete Guide for a Bountiful Harvest

Garlic is an essential ingredient in kitchens around the world, and growing your own is a rewarding and straightforward task. Planting garlic in November can set you up for a bountiful harvest the following summer. Garlic is a hardy crop, and its ability to thrive in cold weather makes it perfect for fall planting. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about growing garlic in November, including the best varieties, soil preparation, planting techniques, care, and harvesting.

Why Plant Garlic in November?

Planting garlic in November allows the bulbs to establish roots during the cooler months. The cold winter weather encourages the cloves to split and develop into full bulbs. By the time spring arrives, your garlic will have a head start, ensuring a robust crop in the summer.

Benefits of Planting Garlic in November:

Cold-hardy: Garlic thrives in cool weather and can withstand frosts and snow.
Early harvest: Fall planting ensures garlic is ready for harvest by mid-to-late summer, allowing room in your garden for other crops.
Low maintenance: Once established, garlic requires minimal care over the winter months.
Pest-resistant: Garlic has natural pest-repelling properties, making it a companion plant for other crops.

Choosing the Right Garlic Varieties

There are two main types of garlic you can plant: hardneck and softneck. Each variety has its unique benefits, and choosing the right one will depend on your local climate and growing preferences.

Hardneck Garlic

Best for cold climates: Hardneck garlic is well-suited to colder regions, making it an ideal choice for November planting.
Distinct flavor: It has a more complex flavor compared to softneck garlic, often described as robust and spicy.
Produces scapes: Hardneck varieties produce garlic scapes, which are the curly green shoots that appear in early summer. These scapes are edible and can be harvested for culinary use.
Shorter storage life: While hardneck garlic has a rich flavor, it typically doesn’t store as long as softneck varieties.

Softneck Garlic

Best for mild climates: Softneck garlic is better suited for warmer climates but can still be grown in cooler areas with the right care.
Milder flavor: Softneck garlic tends to have a milder flavor compared to hardneck varieties.
Longer storage life: This type of garlic can be stored for up to 9 months, making it a good choice for those who want to keep their garlic for a longer period.

Popular Garlic Varieties for November Planting:

‘Chesnok Red’ (Hardneck): Known for its strong flavor and good storage capacity, this variety is a favorite among garlic growers.
‘Music’ (Hardneck): A popular variety with large cloves and excellent winter hardiness.
‘California Early’ (Softneck): This variety matures earlier in the season and has a milder flavor, with a long shelf life.
‘Inchelium Red’ (Softneck): A favorite for its rich flavor and adaptability to various climates.

Preparing Your Garden for Garlic

Garlic thrives in well-drained, fertile soil and requires adequate sunlight to develop into large, healthy bulbs. Before planting, it’s essential to prepare your garden properly to give your garlic the best possible start.

Soil Preparation

Garlic grows best in loose, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (between 6.0 and 7.0). Heavy, compacted soils can cause waterlogging, which may lead to bulb rot. Follow these steps to prepare your garden for planting:

Clear the planting area: Remove any weeds, rocks, or debris from the garden bed. Garlic doesn’t compete well with weeds, so starting with a clean bed is essential.
Amend the soil: If your soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and fertility. Garlic prefers rich, fertile soil to support bulb development.
Test the pH: Use a soil test kit to check the pH level. If the soil is too acidic, add lime to raise the pH. If it’s too alkaline, sulfur can be used to lower it.
Fertilize: Incorporate a balanced fertilizer or one that is high in phosphorus (like bone meal) into the soil before planting. This will help encourage root growth during the winter months.

Choosing the Right Planting Location

Garlic needs full sun to grow properly, so choose a location in your garden that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day. Garlic also prefers well-drained soil, so avoid low-lying areas where water may pool after rain. Good air circulation is also important to prevent fungal diseases.

Planting Garlic in November

Once your soil is prepared, it’s time to plant your garlic. Whether you are using seed garlic or garlic bulbs purchased from a garden center, follow these steps to ensure successful planting.

Step-by-Step Garlic Planting Guide

Separate the cloves: Gently break apart the garlic bulb into individual cloves, being careful not to damage the base of each clove. Choose the largest and healthiest cloves for planting, as they will produce the best bulbs.
Plant the cloves: Plant each garlic clove about 2 to 3 inches deep, with the pointed end facing up and the flat (root) end facing down. Space the cloves 4 to 6 inches apart in rows that are 12 to 18 inches apart. Proper spacing allows for good air circulation and room for bulb development.
Cover the cloves: Lightly cover the garlic cloves with soil and firm it down gently. This will ensure good soil contact and help the cloves establish roots before winter.
Mulch: After planting, cover the garlic bed with a thick layer of mulch, such as straw, leaves, or compost. Mulching helps regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. It also provides additional protection for the garlic during cold winter months.

Caring for Garlic Through Winter

Garlic is relatively low-maintenance, especially when planted in the fall. However, a few simple steps can ensure your garlic survives the winter and thrives come spring.

Watering

After planting, water your garlic thoroughly to help the cloves settle into the soil. Garlic doesn’t require much water during the winter, as natural rainfall is usually sufficient. However, if you experience an unusually dry winter, check the soil moisture periodically. Water sparingly if the soil becomes dry, but avoid overwatering, as this can lead to rot.

Mulching

Mulch plays a crucial role in protecting garlic during the winter. A thick layer of mulch helps insulate the soil and prevent temperature fluctuations that can stress the plants. It also reduces weed growth, which can compete with garlic for nutrients. In the spring, once the danger of frost has passed, you can gradually remove some of the mulch to allow the garlic shoots to emerge.

Weed Control

Weeds can be a problem for garlic, as they compete for nutrients and water. Keep the garlic bed as weed-free as possible, especially during the early stages of growth. Hand-pull any weeds that appear, being careful not to disturb the garlic cloves or roots.

Fertilizing in Spring

As the weather warms up and your garlic begins to grow in the spring, it’s a good idea to feed your plants with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Apply a balanced organic fertilizer, such as fish emulsion or blood meal, in early spring to encourage strong leaf and bulb development.

Common Garlic Pests and Diseases

While garlic is relatively pest-resistant, it’s not entirely immune to problems. Here are some common pests and diseases to watch out for:

Onion maggots: These small white maggots feed on the roots of garlic plants, causing stunted growth or bulb rot. To prevent infestations, use crop rotation and avoid planting garlic in the same spot year after year.
Rust: Garlic rust is a fungal disease that causes orange or yellow spots on the leaves. To prevent rust, ensure good air circulation around your plants and avoid overhead watering.
White rot: This soil-borne disease causes garlic bulbs to rot. It thrives in cool, moist conditions, so proper drainage and crop rotation are essential for preventing white rot.

When and How to Harvest Garlic

Garlic planted in November will be ready to harvest the following summer, typically between June and July. The exact timing depends on the variety and local climate, but there are a few signs to look for to determine when your garlic is ready to harvest.

Signs That Garlic Is Ready to Harvest:

Yellowing leaves: When the lower leaves of the garlic plant begin to turn yellow and die back, it’s a sign that the bulbs are maturing.
Leaf dieback: Once about half of the plant’s leaves have died, it’s time to harvest. Don’t wait too long, as over-mature garlic can split open in the ground, reducing its storage life.
Bulb size: Gently dig up a test bulb to check its size. If the bulbs are large and fully formed, it’s time to harvest.

How to Harvest Garlic:

Dig up the bulbs: Use a garden fork or spade to gently lift the garlic bulbs out of the soil. Be careful not to damage the bulbs, as this can reduce their storage life.
**Curing the garlic**: After harvesting, allow the garlic to cure in a warm, dry, and well-ventilated area for two to three weeks. This process helps the bulbs dry out and develop a protective papery skin, which is essential for long-term storage.
Storage: Once cured, store your garlic in a cool, dry place. Hardneck garlic typically lasts for about 4 to 6 months, while softneck varieties can last up to 9 months.

Conclusion

Growing garlic in November is a rewarding and low-maintenance task that yields delicious results. With proper soil preparation, planting techniques, and care, you’ll be harvesting flavorful garlic bulbs by summer. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, garlic is an easy crop to grow that will enhance your meals and garden for years to come. Follow the steps in this guide to ensure a successful garlic harvest and enjoy the satisfaction of homegrown garlic.

Check out lots more to grow in November here