The Garlic Calendar: What to Do Month-by-Month

Garlic is a crop with patience. It doesn’t rush, it doesn’t panic, and it certainly doesn’t care if you forgot to update your planner. But if you want big, beautiful bulbs and a harvest that makes your neighbors jealous, you’ll need to follow garlic’s calendar—not yours.

Let’s start in September. This is your prep month. The kids are back in school, the air smells like cider, and your soil is begging for attention. Test your pH (aim for 6.0–7.0), add compost, and loosen things up. Garlic likes loamy, well-drained soil, not a compacted mud pie. Raised beds or mounded rows help with drainage, especially if your soil leans toward clay.

Come October, it’s planting time. Break your bulbs into individual cloves, keeping the papery skins intact. Plant them pointy side up, about two inches deep and six inches apart. Space rows about a foot apart. Then mulch like you’re tucking in a toddler during a snowstorm—straw, leaves, or grass clippings will do. This protects against frost and suppresses weeds. Garlic doesn’t like competition. It’s a diva that wants the spotlight.

In November, admire your mulch and sip something warm. Garlic is settling in underground, quietly establishing roots before winter hits. You don’t need to do much—just make sure your mulch hasn’t blown away in a rogue windstorm.

December through February is garlic’s nap time. Underneath the snow and mulch, it’s chilling (literally), which is essential for proper bulb development. You? You’re dreaming of scapes and browsing seed catalogs like a garlic-obsessed elf.

By March, things start stirring. Depending on your zone, you might see green shoots poking through the mulch. Resist the urge to fertilize too early—wait until growth is steady. You can top-dress with compost or a balanced organic fertilizer once the soil warms up.

In April, garlic is growing steadily. Keep weeds in check and make sure your mulch is still doing its job. Water if it’s dry, but don’t drown it. Garlic likes moisture, not soggy feet.

May is when things get exciting. Hardneck varieties will start sending up scapes—those curly green stalks that look like botanical question marks. Snip them off once they make a full loop. This redirects energy to the bulb and gives you a bonus crop. Scapes are delicious, marketable, and photogenic. Garlic’s version of a side hustle.

By June, bulbs are sizing up. Keep watering consistently, especially if it’s hot and dry. Watch for signs of disease or pests—yellowing leaves, stunted growth, or suspicious holes. Garlic is generally low-maintenance, but it appreciates vigilance.

July is harvest month. When the lower leaves turn brown but 4–5 green ones remain, it’s time. Use a garden fork to gently lift bulbs—never yank them by the stalk unless you enjoy regret. Shake off the dirt, but don’t wash them. Lay them out in a dry, shaded, well-ventilated space to cure for two to three weeks.

In August, trim the roots and stalks, sort your bulbs, and store them in a cool, dry place. Save your biggest, healthiest bulbs for next year’s seed stock. Garlic is generous—if you treat it well, it’ll keep giving.

And just like that, you’re back to September, prepping for another round. Garlic’s calendar is slow, steady, and deeply satisfying. It rewards planning, punishes procrastination, and smells amazing every step of the way.

So grab your garden journal, mark your months, and let garlic guide your growing season. It’s the only crop that comes with its own built-in schedule—and a whole lot of flavor.