IT’S GARLIC PLANTING TIME!

When planting garlic, look for the largest most robust bulbs from a reputable source. Each bulb typically contains four to six cloves – some even more.

Carefully separate all the cloves. For the best results, plant the largest cloves from each bulb and save the smaller ones for eating.

Before you plant in the fall, it is especially important to improve your soil since it may have been depleted from your summer crops. Garlic is a heavy feeder and a first application of food at the time of planting is an important aid for root development. Rake in a nutrient-rich soil that includes fertilizer, such as Miracle-Gro Organic™ Raised Bed & Garden Soil, which feeds plants for two months.

When planting multiple rows of garlic, be sure the rows are at least one foot apart. It is also important to give each clove enough room to grow and develop. They should be planted several inches from each other.

It’s easy to make the holes for planting garlic using a dibber. Cloves should be at least three inches deep.

Gently push the clove to the bottom of the hole with the tip of the clove up and the root side down and then backfill with soil.

Don’t forget to mark each row to identify the variety you have planted.

Rake beds to cover bulbs with soil and add a layer of about 3 inches of mulch, such as Miracle-Gro Organic™ All Natural Mulch. Give them a good drink of water and that’s it – wait until next year to harvest. If you’ve never grown your own garlic, give it a try – it’s so easy and so rewarding.