If you’re a gardener in Missouri, knowing when to plant garlic is the key to a successful crop. Getting the timing right for when to plant garlic in Missouri ensures your cloves develop strong roots before winter and deliver a robust harvest next summer.
This guide gives you the simple, step-by-step information you need. We’ll cover the best dates, how to choose your garlic type, and the exact planting process. Let’s get your garlic in the ground at the perfect time.
When To Plant Garlic In Missouri
The ideal window for planting garlic in Missouri is in the fall. You aim to get cloves into the soil after the heat of summer has passed but well before the ground freezes solid.
For most of the state, the target period is from mid-October through mid-November. A good rule is to plant around the time of your first light frost or about 2-3 weeks after the first fall frost date.
This timing is crucial. Planting too early can cause the garlic to send up green shoots that winter cold will damage. Planting to late means the cloves won’t establish enough root system to survive the winter. The goal is for the clove to focus all it’s energy on root growth, not top growth.
Why Fall Planting is Essential
Garlic needs a period of cold temperatures, called vernalization, to trigger proper bulb formation. When you plant in fall, the clove spends the winter developing a strong root system. Once spring warmth arrives, it’s ready to burst into growth and form a large, well-segmented bulb.
Spring-planted garlic rarely produces good bulbs. It often grows like an onion, forming a single, undivided clove called a “round.”
Adjusting for Your Missouri Region
Missouri’s climate varies, so fine-tune your timing:
- Northern Missouri: Aim for early to mid-October. Winters come earlier here, so cloves need more time to root.
- Central Missouri (including Columbia and Jefferson City): The prime window is mid-October to early November.
- Southern Missouri: You can plant from late October through mid-November, as the ground stays warmer later.
Watch the weather, not just the calendar. If you have an unusually warm fall, you may need to delay planting slightly.
Choosing Your Garlic Type
There are two main types of garlic, and your choice affects flavor and storage.
Hardneck Garlic
This type is generally better suited for Missouri’s colder winters. It produces a hard central stalk called a scape, which should be removed in early summer to encourage bigger bulbs. Hardneck varieties offer complex flavors and are easier to peel, but they have a shorter storage life (about 4-6 months). Popular varieties include ‘German White’, ‘Music’, and ‘Chesnok Red’.
Softneck Garlic
Softneck garlic thrives in warmer climates but can still do well in Missouri, especially in the southern parts. It doesn’t produce a hard scape, instead having softer, braidable leaves. Softnecks typically have a milder flavor and store much longer (up to 9-12 months). Common varieties are ‘California Early’ and ‘Inchelium Red’.
Pro Tip: Always buy seed garlic from a reputable nursery or garden center. Garlic from the grocery store is often treated to prevent sprouting and may not be suited to our climate.
Preparing Your Planting Site
Garlic needs full sun and well-drained soil. It will not thrive in heavy, wet clay that stays soggy.
- Choose a Sunny Spot: At least 6-8 hours of direct sun is best.
- Amend the Soil: Work in several inches of compost or well-rotted manure a few weeks before planting. Garlic loves fertile, loose soil.
- Check the pH: Garlic prefers a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A simple soil test can tell you if you need to add lime to raise the pH.
- Ensure Good Drainage: If your soil is heavy, consider planting in raised beds to prevent rot.
Step-by-Step Planting Guide
Once your site is ready and the calendar says it’s time, follow these steps.
1. Break Apart the Bulbs
Carefully break the seed garlic bulb into individual cloves. Do this just before planting to keep the basal plate (the flat, root-end) from drying out. Keep the papery skin on each clove—it protects it.
2. Select the Best Cloves
Plant only the largest, healthiest-looking cloves from the outer part of the bulb. The bigger the clove, the bigger the potential bulb. You can use smaller cloves for cooking.
3. Plant at the Correct Depth and Spacing
This is where many gardeners make a mistake.
- Depth: Plant cloves pointed end up, 2-3 inches deep.
- Spacing: Space cloves 4-6 inches apart in rows.
- Row Spacing: Space rows 12-18 inches apart.
4. Mulch Heavily
After planting, water the bed well. Then, apply a 4-6 inch layer of loose mulch like straw, shredded leaves, or grass clippings. This mulch is vital. It insulates the soil, prevents winter heaving, suppresses weeds in spring, and conserves moisture. Without it, your garlic is more vulnerable to cold damage.
Caring for Your Garlic Through the Seasons
Garlic is low-maintenance but needs attention at key times.
Spring Care
As the weather warms, green shoots will emerge through the mulch. Leave the mulch in place to control weeds. In early spring, you can side-dress with a balanced organic fertilizer or a top-dressing of compost to fuel growth.
Watering Needs
Garlic needs consistent moisture, especially in spring when bulbs are forming. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week from rainfall or supplemental watering. Critical: Reduce watering in the last 3-4 weeks before harvest to allow the bulbs to cure in the ground and prevent rot.
Scape Removal (For Hardnecks)
In late May or early June, hardneck garlic will send up a curly flower stalk called a scape. Cut or snap it off when it makes one full curl. This directs the plant’s energy into making a bigger bulb. Plus, scapes are a delicious early harvest—great in pestos or stir-fries!
Knowing When to Harvest
Harvest timing in Missouri is typically in late June or early July. Don’t wait for the leaves to completely die back like an onion.
- Watch for the lower leaves to turn brown while the top 5-6 leaves remain green.
- Gently dig up a test bulb. The cloves should be well-formed and filling out the skin.
- If you wait to long, the bulbs can split open and won’t store well.
Curing and Storing Your Harvest
- Dig, Don’t Pull: Use a garden fork to loosen the soil and lift the bulbs. Avoid pulling by the stem, which can break.
- Clean Gently: Brush off excess soil, but don’t wash the bulbs. Washing invites mold during curing.
- Cure Properly: Hang bunches or lay bulbs in a single layer in a warm, dry, airy place out of direct sun (like a garage or covered porch). Let them cure for 3-4 weeks until the necks are completely dry and the outer skin is papery.
- Trim and Store: Trim roots and cut stems to about an inch. Store your cured garlic in a cool, dark, dry place like a pantry. Mesh bags or baskets allow for good air flow.
Common Problems and Solutions
- Rotting Cloves: Caused by poor drainage or planting too deep. Ensure your bed drains well and follow depth guidelines.
- Small Bulbs: Often from planting too late, using small cloves, or not enough sun. Correct these factors next season.
- Early Sprouting: If green shoots emerge in fall, it usually means you planted to early. A thick mulch layer can sometimes protect them.
FAQ: Your Missouri Garlic Questions Answered
Can I plant garlic from the grocery store?
It’s not recommended. Store-bought garlic is often from varieties grown in milder climates (like China or California) and may not be winter-hardy in Missouri. It can also carry diseases. For best results, buy certified seed garlic locally.
What if I miss the fall planting window?
You can try planting very early in spring as soon as the ground can be worked, but the bulbs will likely be smaller. For a fall harvest, it’s best to wait until next fall’s planting window.
How do I save my own garlic for planting next year?
At harvest, set aside your largest, most perfect bulbs. Cure and store them as normal. Then, use those bulbs as your “seed” garlic the following October. This helps you develop a strain adapted to your specific garden conditions.
Should I fertilize my garlic?
Yes. Garlic is a heavy feeder. Incorporate compost at planting and apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer in early spring as growth resumes. Stop fertilizing once scapes appear (for hardnecks) or by late May.
Can I grow garlic in containers in Missouri?
Yes, you can. Use a deep container (at least 12 inches) with excellent drainage. Follow the same planting depth and timing. Container soil dries out faster, so monitor moisture closely. Mulch the top and consider insulating the pot for winter if it’s above ground.
Following this guide will set you up for a succesful garlic harvest. The most important step is getting your cloves in the ground during that sweet spot in the fall. With a little planning and these simple steps, you’ll be on your way to enjoying your own homegrown Missouri garlic.