A Brief History of Garlic
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a member of the onion (Amaryllidaceae) family, and it is one of the world’s most ancient crops, revered as a source of food and medicine for over 7,000 years – making it perhaps the first crop to be cultivated.
While it was widely thought that garlic emerged as a mutation of Allium longiscuspis, recent DNA analysis suggests that A. longiscuspis is a feral, rather than ancestral form of garlic.
German Extra Hardy is a popular hardneck garlic.
In addition to being a delicious culinary ingredient, essential in nearly every cuisine, garlic contains nutrients such as vitamin C, as well as minerals including selenium, manganese, potassium, and phosphorus.
But garlic's real power is in its diverse bioactive compounds, including sulfides, saponins, phenolic compounds, and polysaccharides.
Many studies have focused on the biologic functions of garlic, including its role in cardiovascular protection and its anticancer, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and antibacterial properties.
Modern science explorations have roots in ancient wisdom about garlic: In his book Historia Naturalis, published in ancient Rome in 77 AD, Pliny the Elder recommended it for gastrointestinal problems, animal bites, joint diseases, and seizures.
Traditional medicine texts from ancient China, Japan, and India also commend it for many ailments, including depression and heart disease.
Garlic is one of the most rewarding – and easy – crops to grow! Fall planting gives the cloves time to put down roots so that it’s ready to roll when springtime comes.
Like everything, timing and planning are key for a great crop of garlic.
Hardneck? Softneck? Which One Should I Plant?
There are two main types of garlic, hardneck and softneck, each with its own charms and advantages. Elephant garlic, which is another member of the leek-allium family, is also valued for its aromatic and nutritional qualities as well as its abundance and ease of use. Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about whether to grow hardneck or softneck garlic, plant both — you’ll learn what thrives best in your soil and climate.
The virtues of hardneck garlic (Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon)
- It produces a central flowering stalk called a scape (scapes are delicious!).
- The cloves are typically larger and easier to peel.
- It is better suited to cold winters — ideal for Zones 3–7.
- It stores for 3 to 6 months.
Popular hardneck varieties:
- Music — reliable and cold-hardy with rich, medium heat.
- German Extra Hardy — strong flavor, robust bulbs.
- Chesnok Red — sweet when roasted.
Garlic scapes are delicious fresh, in stir fries, and even pickled!
The virtues of softneck garlic (Allium sativum var. sativum):
- The flexible stems can be braided for storage.
- It produces more cloves per bulb and keeps longer than hardneck (6 to 9 months).
- It thrives in Zones 6 to 10 where winters are milder.
Popular softneck varieties:
- California Early — mild, adaptable, and early maturing
- Inchelium Red — complex flavor, good for braiding
Inchelium is a popular softneck garlic.
Elephant Garlic
Elephant garlic, which is delicious in its own right, is not a true garlic – it's actually a member of the leek family (lliumampeloprasum var. Ampeloprasum).
Elephant garlic is less pungent than regular garlic and is an excellent choice for growers with mild winters. It can be used in place of garlic, and its enormous cloves make it great for recipes that call for a lot of garlic.
How to Prep the Garlic Bed
Garlic loves sun, loose soil, and good fertility.
- Location: Choose a full-sun spot (6 to 8 hours a day or more). Avoid planting in areas where onions, garlic, or other alliums have grown in the last three years to reduce disease risk.
- Soil:Aim for a pH of 6.2 to 7.0. Amend heavy soils with compost to improve drainage.
- Fertility: Work in a balanced organic fertilizer or compost before planting. Garlic is a heavy feeder and benefits from a fertile start.
There are several ways to test the pH of your soil. We use the slurry methodthoroughly mixing 1 part of soil to two parts of distilled water in a sterilized container, then letting it settle for about 15 minutes before inserting a probe into the mixture.
When Should I Plant in my USDA Zone?
Plant garlic two to four weeks before the ground freezes solid but after the hottest weather. If you’re not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'
- USDA Zones 3-4: Plant in late September to mid-October. Mulch heavily (4-6 inches) after the ground begins to cool but before a deep freeze.
- USDA Zone 5: Plant in early to mid-October. Perfect for hardneck garlic; mulch with straw or shredded leaves after first hard frost.
- USDA Zone 6: Plant mid- October to early November. Both hardneck and softneck do well; mulch after planting.
- USDA Zone 7: Plant late October to mid-November. Favor softneck, but some hardneck types thrive with protection.
- USDA Zone 8: Plant in November to early December. Plant later to avoid premature sprouting; softneck types perform best.
- USDA Zone 9: Plant in December to early January. Mild winters allow late planting; softneck is ideal.
- USDA Zone 10: January to February, if it's cool. Garlic can be tricky here — chill bulbs in fridge 6–8 weeks before planting to encourage bulbing.
How to Plant Garlic
- Break apart the bulbs just before planting, keeping the papery skins on each clove.
- Plant cloves pointed end up, 2 inches deep in cold zones (3 to 5) and 1 to 2 inches deep in warmer zones (7 to 9).
- Space cloves 4 to 6 inches apart in rows 10 to 12 inches apart.
- Water well after planting to settle soil.
Mulching and Protection
Where you garden determines how much protection your garlic will need.
- Cold zones: Apply 4 to 6 inches of clean straw, chopped leaves, or grass clippings after the soil cools but before it freezes.
- Warm zones: A lighter mulch (2 ro 3 inches) helps conserve moisture and suppress weeds without overheating bulbs.
Spring Care and Garlic Harvest
- In early spring, feed with a nitrogen-rich amendment (blood meal, fish emulsion, or composted manure).
- Water deeply during active growth but reduce watering once the lower leaves start to yellow.
- Harvest when about half the leaves turn yellow/brown but 4 to 5 green leaves remain (usually late June to July depending on zone).
Key points to remember:
- Choose the garlic type that’s right for your climate.
- Plant two to four weeks before your ground freezes (or later in mild climates).
- Mulch generously for winter protection and weed control.
- In the spring, feed and water well for large, healthy bulbs.
You can read more about garlic here!
About the Author
Michelle Johnson wears a lot of hats here at Baker Creek, but perhaps her favorite role is that of seed historian. She produced many of the Seed Stories videos on our YouTube channel (and yes, that's her voice narrating many of them!) and frequently contributes stories to The Whole Seed Catalog. With decades of experience as a journalist, both in print and on the radio, she is delighted to use her reporting skills to dig in to the history of seeds and the people who grow them.
Michelle Johnson
