Can I plant garlic in the spring instead of fall?

You can, but fall planting gives you bigger, better-formed bulbs. Garlic planted in spring tends to result in smaller heads because it doesn’t have enough cold exposure (called vernalization) to fully develop.

Do I need to soak garlic cloves before planting?

It’s not required, but some gardeners swear by it. Soaking cloves in a mix of water and baking soda (or diluted fish emulsion) for a few hours before planting can give them a nutrient boost and help prevent fungal issues. You can also add a quick dip in vodka or hydrogen peroxide to kill surface pathogens.

What if garlic sprouts before winter?

That’s totally normal if you get a warm spell after planting. The green shoots may die back with the cold, but the bulb will stay safe underground and continue growing in spring. No need to replant.

Can I plant garlic from the grocery store?

Technically yes, but it’s risky. Store-bought garlic is often treated to prevent sprouting and may carry diseases that can linger in your soil. For the best results, use seed garlic from a reputable supplier or local farmer’s market. Once you’ve grown your own, you can save the biggest and healthiest cloves from your harvest to plant the following year—it’s one of the easiest crops to save seed from. Learn more about saving seed from your garden here.

Gardening Tips

Gardening can be trial and error—but it doesn’t have to be a mystery. These posts offer practical advice from real gardens (and real mistakes), so you can grow with more success and less stress.