Before the ground freezes
Split a bulb into cloves and plant them pointy-end up, a few inches deep, 4–6 weeks before hard frost.
Plant a clove in fall, harvest a whole head next summer — one of the easiest, most rewarding crops there is.
Split a bulb into cloves and plant them pointy-end up, a few inches deep, 4–6 weeks before hard frost.
Hardneck for cold climates and big cloves; softneck for milder areas and longer storage. Plant local if you can.
Mulch heavily; it roots in fall, sleeps through winter and shoots up in spring. Almost no work.
Lift when the lower leaves yellow, cure 2–3 weeks in a dry airy spot, then trim. It stores for months.
For garlic plus the full grow-and-store plan, The most complete beginner's manual we've found is The Self-Sufficient Backyard — Ron & Johanna Melchiore's 40 years off-grid distilled into food, water, power and 75+ DIY projects. Our honest take:
Garden beds, rainwater sizing, pantry days-of-supply and the weekly rhythm — free spreadsheet, straight to your inbox.