Growing garlic is probably one of the easiest crops you can grow. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need much space to grow garlic; they grow beautifully in containers.
We love growing our garlic in containers due to space demands and if you find yourself in the same predicament, then you’re in luck!
We will give you the complete run down so you too can enjoy the deliciousness of home-grown garlic.
When growing garlic at home, not only will you experience the most potent form of these bulbs, but you can choose to plant your preferred varieties.
So, if you trying to find a way to cook with fresh, fragrant garlic without giving up valuable garden space then you need to look no farther than container-grown garlic!
With this convenient and space-saving technique, you can have a plentiful supply of tasty garlic at your disposal.
Yet the advantages of growing your own garlic go far beyond its practicality.
Many health advantages of garlic have been demonstrated, including immune system support, inflammation reduction, and even help with cholesterol lowering.
Also, it will put your mind at ease to know that your garlic is devoid of dangerous chemicals and pesticides.
The best part? Some of these varieties offer a much more flavorful plant than those you buy at the supermarket.
In this blog post, I will share everything you need to know to get started.
Helpful Products from Amazon for Growing Garlic in Containers
What Size Container
Container gardening for vegetable growth is a great way to grow vegetables if you lack the space to plant them in ground.
There are so many different containers to choose from and almost any vessel can be useful when container gardening.
When growing garlic in containers, you will want to select a pot that is at least six inches deep and eight inches wide.
This is the size I have found is best for growing garlic since the plant needs room to establish a strong root system.
Larger containers, on the other hand, can hold more cloves and promote more robust growth provided you have the room.
I like to use galvanized metal tubs such as this one for my cloves. They look pretty on my patio and can hold a lot of garlic.
Fortunately, there are countless possible container kinds you can choose from, including 5 gallon buckets.
In fact, garlic can be grown in any container with enough depth and width, from standard pots to unorthodox buckets and even these grow bags.
To ensure it can resist the elements, use a container made of sturdy material, such as plastic or terracotta.
Regardless of the container you select, good drainage is necessary to avoid waterlogging and root rot.
Drill holes at the bottom of the container you choose to use and add a thin layer of gravel or rocks to promote optimum drainage.
This will keep your garlic healthy by allowing extra water to drain freely.
Soil Preparation for Growing Garlic in Containers
A crucial step in any successfully growing vegetable growing is ensuring you have the highest quality soil.
You do not want to use soil directly from the ground. This soil is heavy and will compact over time leading to decreased yield.
When growing in pots, loamy, well-draining soil is best.
When growing garlic, we highly suggest you consider using an organic potting mix such as FoxFarms potting soil.
We have had the best luck growing our vegetables using this potting mix and love to recommend it.
We want our garlic to develop a robust root system and by providing it with the best soil, we can do just that.
Organic matter found in compost, worm castings, or aged manure will help create the best soil conditions for your garlic to grow.
We recommend amending your soil before planting. If you would like to start your own compost stash, you can find our recommended method here.
Garlic Varieties to Plant
Selecting the ideal variety when growing garlic in containers can make all the difference particularly because some garlic grows better in different zones. If you are unsure of your growing zone, you can check our list of 60 plus cities and their grow zones. Garlic comes in many varieties, each boasting their own distinctive taste and growth traits. Below are just a few varieties you might come across:
Hardneck Garlic is the variety you want to plant if you live in a colder climate. You can choose from many different types of hardneck but our favorites and the Russian Red and Spanish Roja.
Softneck Garlic is the type you will typically find in the supermarket. They grow in warmer climates and can be grown year-round, and these types will normally grow smaller than the hardneck varieties.
Best Hardneck Varieties of Garlic to Plant
The following are some of the top hardneck cultivars for container gardening:
Rocambole: This type is renowned for its huge, simple-to-peel cloves and rich, complex flavor. The taste of Rocambole garlic is strong and distinct, and it has a tough stem.
Purple Stripe: The medium-sized cloves from the Purple Stripe type have a robust, spicy flavor. Purple streaks on its papery outer layers give Purple Stripe Garlic its distinctive appearance.
Porcelain Garlic: Large, homogeneous cloves of porcelain garlic with a mild, nutty flavor are produced by this variety. The long shelf life and simple peeling of the cloves make this cultivar highly regarded.
How Many Cloves of Garlic Per Container?
One of the most common questions I get about growing garlic is, how many cloves should I plant in a container? This number will vary based on the container size you are using. In general, you want to aim to leave 4″ of space between each clove. Below is a useful guide to keep in mind when planting garlic.
How to Plant Garlic
The best time to plant garlic is either in the late fall or early spring. In my zone 7b, I plant my garlic around Halloween.
While early spring planting takes advantage of the warming soil temperatures, fall planting enables the garlic to grow roots before the winter.
It’s crucial to prepare your garlic cloves before planting.
Take care to select the biggest and healthiest cloves when dividing the bulbs into individual cloves before planting.
It is worthwhile to take the time to choose the best cloves because they will serve as the starting point for your garlic production.
Giving garlic cloves ample room to develop is important when planting them in containers.
As a general guideline, space each clove 4-6 inches apart and plant them with the pointed end facing up and the root end down.
Each garlic plant will have enough room to have a strong root system and produce big, tasty bulbs with this spacing.
It’s a good idea to plant the cloves with a few inches of dirt around them so that they have room to grow upward.
After planting, give the dirt a good drink, keeping it moist but not soggy.
You’ll soon start to notice green sprouts poking through the ground, indicating the start of your garlic crop.
How to Grow Garlic
1. Break bulbs apart into individual cloves. Leave as much of the paper-like outside intact.
2. If you are planting your garlic in containers, use a deep enough container and fertile soil. We love FoxFarms potting soil, but you can use any well-draining organic soil you like.
3. Plant cloves 3″ to 4″ deep and 4″ apart. Make sure you orient them, so the pointy end faces up.
4. Water the newly planted cloves generously, and you’re done.
5. The garlic may start sending up new shoots as winter arrives. Not to worry, your bulbs are safe and will begin thriving in the spring.
What Are Garlic Scapes?
On hardneck varieties of garlic, the plant will send out a flowering stem and flower called a scape.
If you leave them on, your garlic will spend energy developing the scape and flower rather than the bulb underneath the earth.
Simply snip the scape once it begins to curl. Do not make the mistake of throwing these scapes out.
They are delicious in stir-fries, pickled, or even made as a pesto that can be added to pasta and other dishes.
Caring for Garlic
Container garlic maintenance is quite simple, but it necessitates consistency and close attention to detail.
Watering is one of the most crucial parts of taking care of garlic.
Garlic requires regular irrigation, but too much water can inhibit growth and cause root rot.
A decent rule of thumb is to water once a week when the soil seems dry to the touch. I like to use a moisture meter such as this one to take the guess work out of watering.
In general, it’s a good idea to avoid watering the foliage as this can promote illness.
Growing good garlic in pots also requires fertilizing.To supply the required nutrients, organic fertilizers such as Jobe’s, fish emulsion or compost can be applied to the soil.
These fertilizers not only promote the growth of garlic but also enhance the soil’s general health.
Garlic can nevertheless become a victim of pests and illnesses despite its toughness. Aphids, thrips, and onion maggots are typical pests.
Keep the soil fresh and clean to prevent these pests, and think about applying natural pest repellents like Neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Garlic can also become ill from conditions like rust and fungal infections.
Maintain appropriate spacing, and drainage, and avoid overwatering to prevent these issues. ,
When to Harvest Garlic
Garlic is one of the vegetables that requires a long growing season. It usually takes about 8-9 months of care before your container grown garlic is ready for harvest. A good indicator for when garlic is ready are its leaves.
Once you notice some of the green leaves of your garlic yellowing or turning brown, don’t despair.
Your garlic is close to harvest time! In general, we like to see three to four leaves turning brown.
You do not want to pull the bulbs out too soon or too late. Sometimes, pulling out a test bulb to determine readiness is the best bet!
Use a spade or garden fork to carefully dig around the garlic bulb to collect it without damaging it.
Shake off any soil and separate the leaves from the stem when you have completely dug out the bulb. After harvest, give your garlic a few weeks to dry out and cure.
The exterior of the bulbs will get harder throughout the curing process, extending their storage life.
Hang your garlic in a warm, dry, and well-ventilated area to cure it. The bulbs should be distanced from one another to allow for proper airflow. Bind the bulbs together using thread.
When they dry, keep them out of direct sunshine and regularly flip them over. After your garlic bulbs have finished curing, store them somewhere cool, dry, and well-ventilated.
When cured properly, garlic bulbs can be kept for months. Simply store in a cool, dark and dry area. It’s crucial to keep the garlic dry and cool to avoid any moisture or humidity, which can cause mold or spoilage.
Enjoy the flavor and health advantages of fresh, organic garlic all year long.
Final Thoughts
Growing garlic does not have to be a daunting or complicated task.
With the right soil, a little bit of water, sunshine, and patience, you will have a wonderful harvest of garlic to enjoy for the season to come.
Let us know which varieties you plan on planting this fall.
