How To Grow Garlic In Florida

If you want to grow garlic in Florida, you might think our climate is a challenge. With the right know-how, you can have a succesful harvest of this flavorful bulb right in your own backyard. This guide gives you Florida-friendly gardening tips to work with the seasons, not against them.

Growing garlic here is different than in colder states. Florida’s mild winters and hot, wet summers mean timing is everything. You won’t be planting in the fall for a summer harvest. Instead, you plant in the fall for a late spring harvest, letting the bulb develop during our cooler months.

Choosing the Right Garlic Type for Florida

Not all garlic is created equal, especially for our humidity. You have two main types to choose from.

Softneck Garlic: This is the best type for Florida gardens. It adapts well to warmer winters, stores longer, and produces those familiar braidable stems. Varieties like ‘Artichoke’ and ‘Silverskin’ are reliable choices.
Hardneck Garlic: These varieties need a long, cold winter to form bulbs properly. They generally struggle in Florida and are not recommended. You might get greens, but the bulb formation will be poor.

Always buy seed garlic from a reputable nursery or garden center. Do not plant garlic from the grocery store, as it is often treated to prevent sprouting and may carry diseases.

When to Plant Garlic in Florida

This is the most critical step. Planting at the correct time gives the garlic time to establish roots and shoots before the heat arrives.

North Florida: Plant from late October through November.
Central Florida: Plant from November through early December.
South Florida: Plant from late November through December, sometimes into early January.

A good rule is to plant after the first cool snap, when soil temperatures have dropped. The goal is to get the garlic in the ground so it can grow during the cool season.

Preparing Your Garden Bed

Garlic needs loose, fertile, and very well-draining soil. Florida’s sandy soil is great for drainage but needs ammendment for nutrients.

Choose a Sunny Spot: Select a location that gets at least 6-8 hours of full sun daily.
Improve the Soil: Work in 3-4 inches of compost or well-rotted manure into the top 8 inches of soil. This adds nutrients and improves moisture retention.
Check Drainage: Raised beds are ideal in Florida to ensure perfect drainage and prevent rot during heavy rains.
Fertilize: Mix in a balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer according to package directions before planting.

The Planting Process Step-by-Step

Once your bed is ready and your seed garlic has arrived, it’s time to plant.

Break the Bulb: Gently break the garlic bulb into individual cloves. Keep the papery skin on each clove.
Select the Best Cloves: Plant the largest, healthiest-looking cloves. The bigger the clove, the bigger the potential bulb. Use smaller cloves for growing garlic greens.
Planting Depth and Spacing: Plant each clove pointed end up, 2 inches deep. Space cloves 4-6 inches apart in rows that are 12 inches apart.
Water and Mulch: Water the bed thoroughly after planting. Then, apply a 3-inch layer of mulch like pine straw or leaves. This conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and keeps soil temperatures even.

Florida-Friendly Care During the Growing Season

Consistent care is simple but key for good bulb development.

Watering

Garlic needs consistent moisture but hates wet feet. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Usually, about 1 inch of water per week is sufficient, including rainfall. Reduce watering as the harvest time nears to let the bulbs cure in the ground.

Fertilizing

Feed your garlic twice during the growing season. Apply a side-dressing of a nitrogen-rich fertilizer (like blood meal or a balanced organic blend) in early January when growth is active. Give it a second feeding about a month later. Stop fertilizing once the bulbs begin to form in late winter.

Weeding and Pest Control

Keep the bed weed-free, as garlic doesn’t compete well. The mulch will help alot with this. Garlic has few pest problems in Florida, but watch for aphids. A strong spray of water usually knocks them off. Good crop rotation helps prevent soil-borne diseases.

Knowing When to Harvest

Harvesting at the right time ensures good bulb size and storage life. In Florida, this is typically from late April through May.

Watch the Leaves: Stop watering when the lower leaves start to turn brown, but the top 5-6 leaves are still green.
The Timing Test: Carefully dig up a test bulb. The cloves should be plump and fill out the skin. If they’re still small, wait another week.
Don’t Wait Too Long: If you wait until all the leaves are brown, the bulbs may have split open and won’t store well.

Curing and Storing Your Garlic

Proper curing is essential for storage.

Harvest Gently: On a dry day, use a garden fork to loosen the soil and lift the bulbs. Avoid pulling by the stem.
Clean and Dry: Brush off excess soil gently—do not wash the bulbs. Move them to a shaded, dry, and airy place like a covered porch or garage.
Cure: Hang them in bunches or lay them on a rack. Let them cure for 3-4 weeks until the necks are tight and the outer skin is papery.
Store: Trim the roots and cut the stems. Store your cured garlic in a cool, dark place with good air circulation, like a mesh bag. Properly cured softneck garlic can last for months.

Common Florida Garlic Growing Problems

Poor Bulb Formation: Usually caused by planting the wrong type (hardneck), planting too late, or not enough sun.
Rotting Bulbs: Caused by poorly draining soil or overwatering. Raised beds are the best solution.
Early Bolting (Flowering): If a flower stalk appears, cut it off immediately to direct energy back to the bulb. This is less common with softnecks.

FAQ: Growing Garlic in the Sunshine State

Can I really grow garlic in Florida’s heat?
Yes! The secret is planting at the right time (fall) so the bulb matures in our cool season and is harvested before the intense summer heat.

What is the best garlic for Florida gardens?
Stick with softneck varieties like ‘Inchelium Red’ or ‘California Early’. They are more addapted to mild winters.

How long does it take for garlic to grow?
In Florida, from planting in the fall to harvest in late spring, it takes about 5-7 months depending on your specific variety and weather.

Can I use garlic from the store to plant?
It’s not recommended. Grocery store garlic is often from climates unsuitable for Florida and may be treated to inhibit sprouting.

Why did my garlic produce only small bulbs?
Small bulbs can result from planting small cloves, overcrowding, insufficient fertilizer, or harvesting too early. Using the largest cloves and giving them space is crucial.

With these Florida-friendly tips, you’re ready to plant. Remember, the fall planting window is short, so get your seed garlic ordered early. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying your own homegrown, flavorful garlic.