Spring Garlic Care
Spring has arrived- and so has your garlic! From the first signs of green shoots to harvest time, here you’ll find how to care for your crop for happy, healthy garlic plants.
Fertilizer Round 1- Early Spring
As the weather starts to warm up in early spring, garlic resumes active growth and the green shoots of the garlic plants will start to emerge from the ground. As soon as you see green, fertilize your garlic plants with a good organic nitrogen-heavy option like blood meal (12-0-0). The boost in nitrogen will help develop robust, healthy green leaves. Apply 1-2 tablespoons per plant, work into the top inch of the soil around the plants, avoiding direct contact with the stems to prevent burns. Alternatively, you can opt to use compost or well-aged manure for all-natural nutrients. Be sure to water thoroughly after application.
Fertilizer Round 2- Late Spring
In late spring, the bulbs of the garlic plant will begin forming. For the second round of fertilizer, hold back on heavy nitrogen and concentrate on phosphorus and potassium. Phosphorus promotes strong root systems and bulb formation. Potassium enhances bulb quality and resilience.
We opt to make a custom-blend of fertilizer using organic ingredients that consists of blood meal (N), bone meal (P), and langbeinite (K), which results in an N-P-K of 4-6-8. We are aware that langbeinite is an interesting choice. It is a great source of potassium with added magnesium and sulfur to improve photosynthesis and flavor compounds. Other options for potassium include potassium sulfate or sea kelp.
Late Spring Fertilizer Blend (4-6-8) (10 lb batch- approximately 500 garlic plants):
Blood Meal (12-0-0)- 2.11 lbs
Bone Meal (3-15-0)- 4.21 lbs
Langbeinite (0-0-22)- 3.68 lbs
Just like the application in early spring, apply 1 tablespoon per plant, work into the top inch of the soil around the plants, avoiding direct contact with the stems to prevent burns. Water thoroughly after application.
Alternatively, there are a few garlic-specific fertilizers available, like Keene Organics, or organic all-purpose options.
Weed, Weed, Weed
Garlic does not like to compete with weeds for essential nutrients, water or space. Weeds can hinder garlic’s ability to grow, especially in the early stages, resulting in smaller bulbs. Keep the area weeded for a better yield. Mulching the area with straw or leaves or using landscape fabric when planting in the fall can help suppress weeds in early spring.
Irrigation (Early Spring to Early Summer)
Garlic needs 1” of water per week. As harvest time approaches, taper off watering the garlic plants two-three weeks beforehand. This will allow the bulbs to mature and the outer skins to dry, which helps form the protective layer for harvest. This also reduces the risk of rot and fungal issues.
Trim the Scapes (Late Spring)
The scapes are the curly flower stalks that grow from the garlic plant. If left unattended, they will grow flowers and produce seeds. Trimming the scapes redirects the plant’s energy from producing seeds to developing larger bulbs, potentially increasing bulb size by 20% to 30%. For best results, aim to trim the scapes when they curl, but before they are straight or flower.
To trim the scapes, use sharp pruning shears or scissors and snip the scape where it meets the top leaf, about 1-2 inches above the plant.
The scapes are edible- and delicious! They have a very pleasant, mild garlic flavor. They make an amazing pesto, are delicious pickled, and are great sauteed in place of garlic.