If you’re a gardener in Maine, knowing when to plant garlic is the key to a successful crop. For optimal fall harvests, the timing is everything, and getting it right means big, flavorful bulbs next summer.
This guide will walk you through the simple steps. We’ll cover the best dates, how to prepare your cloves, and what to do over the long winter.
When To Plant Garlic In Maine
Garlic is planted in the fall, not the spring. This might seem counterintuitive, but it’s essential. The cloves need a period of cold dormancy to develop properly.
In Maine, the goal is to get the cloves into the ground after the heat of summer but well before the ground freezes solid. You want them to establish roots, but not send up green shoots.
The Perfect Planting Window
The ideal time is typically from late September through mid-October. This window can shift slightly depending on where you are in the state.
- Southern & Coastal Maine: Aim for October 1st to October 20th.
- Central & Northern Maine: Target September 20th to October 10th.
A good rule of thumb is to plant 2-4 weeks after the first fall frost. This gives the soil a chance to cool down. You can check your local frost dates for a more precise starting point.
Why Fall Planting Works
Planting in autumn gives garlic a head start. The clove spends the winter developing a robust root system. When spring arrives, it’s ready to grow immediately, leading to much larger bulbs than spring-planted garlic could ever produce.
What Happens If You Plant Too Early or Too Late?
Timing mistakes can cause problems.
- Too Early (September): If planted while soil is still warm, cloves may sprout green tops before winter. This can weaken the plant and make it vulnerable to frost damage.
- Too Late (November): If planted just before a hard freeze, the cloves won’t have time to grow roots. They may heave out of the ground or simply rot.
Choosing Your Garlic: Hardneck for Maine
Always choose hardneck garlic varieties for Maine’s climate. They are extremely cold-hardy and produce the classic “scapes” (flower stalks) in early summer. Softneck garlic prefers milder winters and won’t reliably survive here.
Some excellent hardneck varieties for Maine include:
- Music
- German Extra Hardy
- Chesnok Red
- Russian Red
Buy your seed garlic from a reputable nursery or farm. Don’t use garlic from the grocery store, as it’s often treated to prevent sprouting and may not be the right type.
Step-by-Step Planting Guide
Follow these steps for the best results.
1. Prepare Your Garden Bed
Garlic needs loose, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Pick a spot that gets full sun. A few weeks before planting, work in several inches of compost or aged manure. This feeds the soil and improves texture.
2. Break Apart the Bulbs
Do this just before planting to prevent the cloves from drying out. Gently break the bulb apart, keeping the papery skin on each individual clove. Select the largest, healthiest cloves for planting—they produce the biggest bulbs.
3. Plant the Cloves
Plant each clove pointy-end up, about 2 inches deep. Space them 6 inches apart in rows that are 12 inches apart. This gives them plenty of room to grow.
4. Mulch Heavily
This is a critical step for Maine winters. After planting, cover the bed with 4-6 inches of straw, shredded leaves, or hay. The mulch insulates the soil, prevents heaving, and suppresses weeds. Don’t use heavy materials like whole leaves, which can mat down.
Caring for Your Garlic Through the Seasons
Your work in the fall sets the stage. Here’s what to do next.
Spring Care
In early spring, you’ll see green shoots poking through the mulch. Leave the mulch in place as a weed barrier. If you see weeds, pull them carefully. Garlic doesn’t compete well.
When the plants are actively growing, you can side-dress with a balanced organic fertilizer or more compost. Water them if the spring is unusually dry, providing about an inch of water per week.
Summer Care & Harvesting Scapes
In June, hardneck garlic will send up a curly flower stalk called a scape. You should cut this off when it makes one full curl. This directs the plant’s energy back into bulbing. The good news is, scapes are delicious to eat!
Stop watering about two weeks before you plan to harvest the bulbs. This helps the outer skins dry and cure properly.
Knowing When to Harvest
Harvest time in Maine is usually late July. Watch for the signs: the bottom 3-4 leaves turn brown, while the top 5-6 leaves are still green. Don’t wait for all the leaves to die back.
Use a garden fork to gently loosen the soil and lift the bulbs. Be careful not to bruise or pierce them. Brush off excess dirt, but don’t wash them.
Curing and Storing Your Harvest
Proper curing is essential for storage. Tie bulbs in small bunches or lay them out in a single layer. Hang them in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place for 3-4 weeks. Once the necks are completely dry and tight, trim the roots and cut the stalks. Store your cured garlic in a mesh bag in a cool, dry spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant garlic from the grocery store in Maine?
It’s not recommended. Store-bought garlic is often softneck, not suited for Maine winters, and may be treated with sprout inhibitors.
What if I miss the fall planting window?
You can try planting very early in the spring, but the bulbs will be much smaller. For the best results, wait until next fall.
How do I protect my garlic from voles?
Voles can be a nusiance. Planting in raised beds or using wire mesh cages under your beds can deter them. Also, avoid using loose straw that provides them cover.
Should I remove the mulch in spring?
No, leave it in place. It continues to suppress weeds and retains soil moisture as the weather warms up.
Can I use my own garlic as seed for next year?
Absolutely! Save your largest, most perfect bulbs for replanting in the fall. This helps you select for garlic that thrives in your specific garden conditions.
Getting your garlic in the ground at the right time is the most important step. By following this Maine-specific schedule and tips, you’ll be well on your way to a plentiful harvest of homegrown garlic next summer.