If you’re wondering when to plant garlic in Arizona, timing is everything for a successful harvest. The unique desert climate means your planting schedule is different from most other regions, and getting it right is the first step to growing big, flavorful bulbs.
Garlic is a rewarding crop for Arizona gardeners. It requires little water once established and naturally resists many pests. But to thrive, it needs a long, cool growing period to develop properly. Planting at the correct time is your most important task.
When to Plant Garlic in Arizona – Best Planting Times for
The best time to plant garlic in Arizona is in the fall. This allows the cloves to establish roots during the cooler months before putting on top growth. The exact window varies across the state’s three major climate zones.
Planting Dates by Arizona Climate Zone
Use these general guidelines, but always adjust for your local microclimate and current weather patterns.
- Low Desert (Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma): Plant from late October through December. Mid-November is often ideal. The goal is to get cloves in the ground so they root but don’t send up significant green shoots until after the coldest part of winter.
- High Desert (Prescott, Kingman, Payson): Aim for early to mid-October. These areas get colder sooner, so you need to plant earlier to ensure good root establishment before the ground freezes.
- Mountain Regions (Flagstaff, Alpine): Plant in September to early October. The short growing season and early frosts necessitate the earliest planting. Use mulch heavily to protect the cloves over winter.
A good rule of thumb is to plant after the first light frost but well before the ground gets truly cold. If you plant to early in the low desert, excessive heat can stress the clove. To late, and it won’t have enough time to root.
Why Fall Planting is Essential
Garlic requires a period of “vernalization” – exposure to cold temperatures. This triggers the clove to split and form a bulb later on. Fall planting mimics the natural cycle of garlic, which originated in Central Asia with cold winters.
Without this chill period, garlic may form a single, large clove (called a “round”) instead of a segmented bulb. The fall-planted garlic develops a robust root system all winter. When spring warmth arrives, it’s ready to explode with growth, directing energy into bulb formation.
Signs You’re Planting at the Right Time
- Daytime temperatures are consistently below 85°F.
- Nighttime temperatures are in the 40s or 50s.
- The soil is cool to the touch.
- You’ve just planted your cool-season leafy greens like kale and lettuce.
What Happens if You Plant Garlic in Spring?
Spring-planted garlic in Arizona rarely produces good bulbs. The cloves are thrust immediately into warming soil and lengthening days, which signals them to start bulbing before they’ve grown enough leaves to support it. The result is usually very small, underdeveloped bulbs. It’s best to use spring for other crops and wait for fall to plant garlic.
Choosing the Right Garlic Type for Arizona
Not all garlic is the same. There are two main types, and your choice impacts your harvest.
- Softneck Garlic: This is the best choice for most Arizona gardeners, especially in the low and high deserts. It adapts well to milder winters, stores exceptionally long (up to a year), and produces lots of cloves. It’s the type you commonly see braided. Varieties like ‘California Early’ and ‘Inchelium Red’ perform well.
- Hardneck Garlic: This type prefers a pronounced cold winter and performs best in Arizona’s mountain regions. It produces a stiff central stalk (the “hard neck”) and fewer, larger cloves. The flavor is often more complex, but it doesn’t store as long as softneck. Popular varieties include ‘German Red’ and ‘Spanish Roja’.
Always source your planting garlic from a reputable seed company or local nursery. Do not plant garlic from the grocery store, as it is often treated to prevent sprouting and may carry soil-borne diseases.
Step-by-Step Planting Guide
Follow these steps for the best results.
- Prepare the Soil: Choose a sunny spot. Garlic needs at least 6-8 hours of sun. Work the soil deeply, adding plenty of compost. Garlic prefers loose, well-draining soil. Raised beds are an excellent option in Arizona’s often dense, clay-heavy soil.
- Separate the Cloves: Carefully break apart your garlic bulb into individual cloves just before planting. Keep the papery skin on each clove intact. Plant only the largest, healthiest-looking cloves. The smaller ones can be used in the kitchen.
- Plant Correctly: Plant each clove pointed end up, about 2 inches deep. Space cloves 4-6 inches apart in rows that are 12 inches apart. This gives the bulbs room to expand.
- Water and Mulch: Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil. Then, apply a 3-4 inch layer of mulch like straw or shredded leaves. This is crucial in Arizona to regulate soil temperature, conserve moisture, and suppress weeds.
Caring for Your Garlic Through the Seasons
Winter Care
Your garlic will be mostly dormant. Water lightly every 2-3 weeks if there’s no rain, just enough to prevent the soil from completely drying out. The mulch will do most of the work. Watch for snails and slugs hiding in the mulch.
Spring Care
As days lengthen and warm, growth accelerates. Increase watering to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. In early spring, side-dress with a balanced organic fertilizer or a top-dressing of compost to feed the growing bulbs.
The Scape Situation (Hardneck Only)
If you planted hardneck garlic, it will send up a curly flower stalk called a “scape” in late spring. You should cut this off when it makes one full curl. This directs the plant’s energy back into the bulb. The good news is, garlic scapes are a delicious seasonal treat you can chop and use like garlicky asparagus.
When and How to Harvest
Harvest time in Arizona is typically in late May or early June for the low desert, and June or July for cooler zones. Leaves are your calendar. Stop watering when the lower 3-4 leaves turn brown, but the top 5-6 are still green.
Carefully loosen the soil with a garden fork and lift the bulbs. Do not pull by the stems, as they can break off. Brush off excess soil, but don’t wash the bulbs.
Curing and Storing Your Arizona Garlic
Proper curing is essential for storage. Bundle 6-8 plants together and hang them, or lay them in a single layer, in a shaded, dry, well-ventilated area (like a garage or covered porch) for 3-4 weeks. Once the necks are completely dry and papery, and the outer wrapper is crisp, trim the roots and stems. Store your cured bulbs in a cool, dark, dry place.
Common Arizona Garlic Growing Problems
- Poor Bulb Formation: Usually caused by planting too late, using the wrong type, or not enough sun.
- Bulb Rot: Caused by overwatering, especially in heavy soil. Ensure excelent drainage.
- Early Yellowing Leaves: Could be underwatering, a nutrient deficiency, or the natural approach of harvest time.
- Small Bulbs: Often due to overcrowding, insufficient fertilizer in spring, or competition from weeds.
FAQ: Planting Garlic in Arizona
Can I plant garlic from the store?
It’s not recommended. Grocery store garlic is often from varieties not suited to our climate and may be treated with sprout inhibitors. For the best results, buy “seed garlic” from a nursery or online supplier.
What is the latest I can plant garlic in Phoenix?
You can push it into late December, but cloves planted this late will have a shorter root-development period and may produce smaller bulbs. Mid-November is more reliable.
Do I need to chill garlic before planting in Arizona?
For softneck varieties in the low desert, it’s generally not necessary. For hardneck varieties or if you’re in a very mild winter area, some gardeners refrigerate cloves for 4-6 weeks before planting to simulate winter chill.
How often should I water garlic?
Water deeply once a week during active growth in spring, tapering off as harvest approaches. In winter, water only sparingly to prevent the soil from completely drying. Always adjust based on rainfall.
Can I grow garlic in a container?
Yes. Use a pot at least 12 inches deep and wide with drainage holes. Plant cloves 4 inches apart. Container soil dries out faster, so you’ll need to monitor water closely. The same fall planting timeline applies.
Growing garlic in Arizona is a test of patience that pays off beautifully. By planting at the right time in the fall, you give your cloves the foundation they need. With proper care through the cool season and into the spring heat, you’ll be rewarded with a homegrown supply of garlic that’s far superior to anything you can buy. Just remember the key: get it in the ground before the holidays, and you’ll be harvesting by early summer.