Garlic is one of the easiest and most rewarding crops you can grow in North Texas. With a bit of timing and preparation, this hardy bulb thrives in our region’s mild winters and hot summers—yielding flavorful cloves perfect for your kitchen or for sharing with friends and neighbors.

Choosing the Right Garlic Variety

Garlic comes in two main types: softneck and hardneck.

• Softneck varieties (like California Early and Inchelium Red) perform best in warmer climates such as North Texas. They store longer and are what you typically find in grocery stores.
• Hardneck varieties (like Chesnok Red and German White) prefer cooler regions but can still be grown here with careful timing and mulching. They produce a flower stalk, or scape, which can be harvested and eaten in spring.

For most home gardeners in North Texas, softneck varieties are the most reliable and productive choice.

When to Plant Garlic

Timing is key. Garlic should be planted in the fall, typically from mid-October through early November. This gives the bulbs time to establish strong roots before winter dormancy. The plants will then grow rapidly in late winter and spring, with harvest usually around May or June.

Preparing the Soil

Garlic prefers loose, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Clay-heavy soils—common in North Texas—should be amended with compost, aged manure, or sand to improve drainage. Aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Before planting, loosen the top 8–10 inches of soil and mix in a few inches of compost to create a fertile bed.

Planting Garlic Cloves

1. Break apart the garlic bulb into individual cloves a day or two before planting.
2. Select the largest cloves—they’ll produce the largest bulbs.
3. Plant each clove 2 inches deep, 6 inches apart, with the pointed end facing up.
4. Space rows about 12 inches apart for easy cultivation.

After planting, cover the bed with 2–4 inches of mulch (such as straw, shredded leaves, or compost). This helps regulate temperature, conserve moisture, and suppress weeds.

Caring for Garlic

• Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Garlic doesn’t like to dry out during its growing period, but standing water can cause rot.
• Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer or compost tea every few weeks during early growth. Once bulbs start to form (around late March), reduce nitrogen-rich fertilizers to encourage bulb development.
• Weeding: Garlic doesn’t compete well with weeds, so maintain a clean bed throughout the season.

Harvesting and Curing

When the lower leaves begin to brown—typically in late May or early June—your garlic is ready to harvest. Gently loosen the soil with a garden fork and lift the bulbs out by hand.
Do not wash the bulbs; instead, cure them by hanging or laying them in a dry, well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight for 2–3 weeks. Once cured, brush off dirt and trim roots and tops.

Properly cured garlic can last 6–9 months if stored in a cool, dry place.

Bonus Tip: Save Some for Next Year

Reserve a few of your largest bulbs to plant again in the fall. Over time, your garlic will adapt to your soil and climate, becoming stronger and more flavorful each season.