Growing garlic at home - from picking the best varieties to harvesting full, flavourful bulbs

Growing Garlic in the UK: A Guide for Home Gardeners

If you've ever thought about growing garlic at home, now is a perfect time. In the UK, November is ideal for planting garlic, allowing the cloves to establish before the cold winter sets in. With just a little bit of space—whether in the ground, a planter, or even indoors for greens—you can enjoy the rewarding process of cultivating your own garlic. Here’s everything you need to know to get started.

#### 1. Choosing Garlic Varieties: Hardneck vs. Softneck

When selecting garlic, you'll come across two main types: **hardneck** and **softneck**. Understanding the difference can help you decide which type suits your growing conditions and cooking preferences.

- **Hardneck Garlic**: Known for its more complex flavors, hardneck varieties are well-suited for colder climates. They produce a unique flowering stalk called a **scape**, which appears in early summer. Scapes are long, curly green shoots that grow from the center of the plant. When removed, they help the plant focus energy on growing larger bulbs, and they’re also a delicacy on their own. Scapes have a garlicky flavor that’s delicious in pesto, stir-fries, or as a garnish, adding a mild but distinct garlic taste.

- **Softneck Garlic**: This type is more common in supermarkets because it’s easier to store for extended periods, sometimes lasting up to a year. Softneck garlic lacks the central scape, so it’s generally smaller and has multiple layers of cloves. It’s ideal if you want long-lasting garlic with a milder flavor, perfect for braids or wreaths due to its soft stems.

##### How to Identify Hardneck and Softneck Garlic in the Supermarket

Identifying the type of garlic in a supermarket can be tricky since most stores don’t label it. Here’s a quick guide:

- **Hardneck**: Hardneck bulbs tend to have fewer, larger cloves in a single circle around a stiff central stem. Each clove is generally easier to peel.

- **Softneck**: Softneck bulbs usually contain more, smaller cloves in multiple layers around a softer, empty core. Supermarkets typically stock softneck garlic, as it’s more suitable for mass storage and shipping.

#### 2. Supermarket vs. Garden Center or Mail-Order Bulbs

When buying garlic to plant, you have a few options, including **supermarkets**, **garden centers**, and **mail-order suppliers**. Here’s how each compares in terms of cost, quality, and availability:

- **Supermarket Garlic**: Supermarkets offer budget-friendly garlic, often around **£0.50–£1 per bulb**. I often buy garlic from Asian supermarkets, where large, fat bulbs are available at lower prices, making them an affordable choice for planting. While most supermarket garlic is softneck, you might find hardneck varieties in some specialty stores. Additionally, if you notice garlic starting to sprout on its own, this is perfectly fine to plant and can still yield good results.

- **Garden Center or Mail-Order Bulbs**: Garlic from garden centers or mail-order suppliers is typically sold as seed garlic, with prices around **£2–£4 per bulb**. These bulbs are specifically cultivated for planting, often from disease-resistant or regionally adapted varieties. This option allows you to try different types, including hardneck garlic that might not be available in supermarkets. Mail-order bulbs also tend to be fresher and come with planting guidance, making them a solid choice if you're looking to expand your garlic-growing experience.

#### 3. Why Garlic Needs Cold Weather

Garlic requires a **cold period** to properly form into separate cloves within the bulb—a process known as **vernalization**. When garlic is exposed to temperatures below about 10°C (50°F) for several weeks, it receives the signal to divide into individual cloves. In the UK, planting garlic in autumn allows it to go through the winter cold, ensuring each clove will develop into a full bulb with separate cloves by harvest time.

If you plant garlic in spring without a cold period, it will often grow as a single, round bulb rather than dividing into cloves. This "round garlic" can still be eaten but lacks the characteristic segmented structure of a full bulb. Some gardeners refrigerate their garlic for several weeks before spring planting to simulate winter cold, which can help encourage clove formation.

#### 4. Preparing Cloves for Planting

Before you plant, start by **separating the individual cloves** from the garlic bulb. Gently break the bulb apart with your hands, being careful not to damage the cloves, especially their bases, as this is where roots will form. Choose the largest, healthiest cloves for planting, as these will produce the biggest bulbs.

It’s best to separate the cloves just before planting to keep them fresh and reduce the chance of drying out or developing mold. Each clove will grow into a full bulb, so take a moment to select the strongest cloves for your outdoor garden, and set aside smaller cloves for growing garlic greens indoors.

#### 5. Preparing the Soil for Garlic

Garlic is relatively low-maintenance, but it thrives best in rich, well-draining soil. Before planting, amend your soil with a good amount of **compost or well-rotted manure**. Garlic prefers a neutral to slightly alkaline soil (pH 6.5–7.5), so if your soil tends to be acidic, consider adding lime to balance it out. Loose soil will allow the bulbs to expand more easily, which can lead to a larger harvest.

#### 6. Planting Depth and Spacing

Planting garlic is straightforward. For each clove:

- **Depth**: Plant each clove about **2 inches (5 cm) deep**, with the pointed end facing up.

- **Spacing**: Space cloves **4–6 inches (10–15 cm) apart**, giving each one enough room to grow.

Ensure your cloves are firm and healthy, as they’re more likely to produce strong bulbs. Avoid cloves that are soft or showing signs of mold.

#### 7. Clove Size and Harvest Results

When choosing which cloves to plant, remember that **larger cloves often produce larger bulbs**. If you want a generous garlic harvest, pick the biggest cloves for planting. Smaller cloves can still be planted but may result in smaller bulbs.

I save smaller cloves for a different purpose: indoor planting for garlic greens. By planting them closely together in small containers, I can harvest the green tops throughout winter, which provide a mild, fresh garlic flavor—perfect as a garnish or seasoning in cooking.

#### 8. Growing Garlic Greens Indoors

For those who love cooking with garlic, garlic greens are a great addition to your kitchen garden. Plant the smaller cloves **closely together in a container** (about 1–2 inches apart) with potting soil. Place them in a sunny spot indoors and water as needed. The greens will grow back after each cut, providing a continuous supply through the winter. These tender greens offer a milder, fresher garlic taste that’s ideal for soups, salads, and other dishes.

#### 9. Timeline from Sowing to Harvest

Garlic requires patience, but it’s well worth the wait. Here’s a rough timeline:

- **Planting**: In the UK, plant garlic in autumn, typically around October or November.

- **Scape Harvesting** (hardneck only): In early summer, you’ll notice scapes forming. These can be removed to encourage bulb growth or enjoyed as a culinary delicacy.

- **Bulb Harvesting**: By mid-summer (around June to July), the leaves will start to turn yellow and die back. This signals that the garlic is ready to harvest.

Once harvested, hang your garlic in a dry, airy place to cure for a few weeks, which enhances its flavor and improves storage life.

#### 10. Final Tips for a Successful Harvest

Growing garlic is a rewarding experience that takes up minimal space but yields great returns. Here are a few parting tips to keep in mind:

- **Watch the water**: Garlic doesn’t like wet feet. Ensure your soil drains well, especially in rainy seasons.

- **Avoid fertilizers after spring**: While garlic benefits from initial soil amendments, adding fertilizer late in the season can lead to more leafy growth at the expense of bulb size.

- **Experiment**: Try planting different varieties or methods (like garlic greens indoors) to discover what works best for your space and tastes.

With the right approach, you'll enjoy fresh garlic in your kitchen year-round, from winter garlic greens to plump bulbs in summer. Garlic growing is simple but satisfying, and it’s a fantastic addition to any garden, big or small