If you want a strong, healthy garlic crop, knowing when to plant garlic in Texas is the most important step. Get the timing right, and you’ll be on your way to an optimal fall harvests of flavorful bulbs. Texas gardeners have a big advantage with our long growing season, but our diverse climate zones mean planting dates can vary quite a bit.
This guide will walk you through the best planting windows for your region, how to prepare, and what to do after planting to ensure success.
When To Plant Garlic In Texas
The universal rule for Texas is to plant garlic in the fall. This gives the cloves time to establish roots before winter, leading to robust growth when spring arrives. Planting too early can cause excessive top growth before winter, while planting too late gives roots insufficient time to develop, resulting in smaller bulbs.
For most of Texas, the prime planting window is from mid-October through mid-November. This timing allows for about 4-6 weeks of root growth before the ground gets too cold. Here’s a more detailed regional breakdown:
* North Texas & Panhandle: Aim for early to mid-October. Frosts come earlier here, so getting cloves in the ground by Halloween is a good target.
* Central Texas (including Austin/San Antonio): The sweet spot is late October through mid-November. The slightly warmer fall allows for a later start.
* South Texas & Gulf Coast: Plant from late November through December. Your winters are mild, so you can plant later to avoid premature sprouting in warm fall weather.
* West Texas: Follow timing similar to North Texas, mid-October, but adjust based on your specific elevation and microclimate.
A great natural cue is to plant garlic just after your first light frost or when soil temperatures at 4″ deep consistently drop below 70°F.
Choosing the Right Garlic for Texas Gardens
Not all garlic is created equal, and choosing the right type makes a huge difference. You’ll find two main categories in stores, but only one is typically best for us.
Softneck Garlic:
This is the classic type you commonly see in supermarkets. It stores very well, produces more cloves per bulb, and generally thrives in warmer climates. It’s the top recommendation for most of Texas, especially South and Central regions. Softnecks usually don’t produce a flower stalk (scape).
Hardneck Garlic:
Hardneck varieties are known for their complex flavors and produce a edible flower stalk called a scape. However, they require a longer, colder winter period to properly form bulbs. They can be grown in North Texas with some success, but often underperform in warmer southern parts of the state.
Your best bet is to always buy seed garlic from a reputable nursery or garden supplier. Garlic from the grocery store is often treated to inhibit sprouting and may carry soil-borne diseases. Choose the largest, healthiest bulbs you can find—big cloves typically produce big bulbs.
Preparing Your Garden Bed for Garlic
Garlic needs loose, fertile, and very well-draining soil. It hates having “wet feet,” so good drainage is non-negotiable in Texas, where we can get heavy rains.
Start by choosing a spot that gets full sun—at least 6-8 hours of direct light. Then, follow these steps:
1. Clear and Loosen: Remove all weeds and grass. Loosen the soil to a depth of at least 12 inches using a garden fork or tiller.
2. Amend the Soil: Mix in 2-3 inches of finished compost or well-rotted manure. This improves fertility, texture, and drainage.
3. Check Drainage: If your soil is heavy clay, also mix in some coarse sand or additional organic matter to prevent waterlogging.
4. Fertilize: Add a balanced organic fertilizer or a specific bulb fertilizer according to package directions, working it into the top few inches of soil.
Step-by-Step Planting Instructions
Once your bed is ready and your planting date has arrived, it’s time to plant.
* Step 1: Separate Cloves. Carefully break the garlic bulb apart into individual cloves. Keep the papery skin on each clove—it protects them.
* Step 2: Select the Best Cloves. Plant only the largest, plumpest, and healthiest-looking cloves. You can use the smaller ones for cooking.
* Step 3: Plant Correctly. Place each clove pointy end up, root side down. The tip should be about 2 inches below the soil surface.
* Step 4: Spacing is Key. Space cloves 4-6 inches apart in all directions. If planting in rows, space rows about 12 inches apart.
* Step 5: Cover and Mulch. Cover the cloves with soil and gently firm it down. Then, apply a 3-4 inch layer of mulch like straw, shredded leaves, or grass clippings. This mulch is vital for regulating soil temperature, conserving moisture, and suppressing weeds.
Caring for Your Garlic Through the Season
Garlic is a low-maintenance crop, but it does need consistent care for optimal results.
Watering: Garlic needs consistent moisture, especially during bulbing in spring. Water deeply when the top inch of soil is dry. Reduce watering in the last few weeks before harvest to let the bulbs cure in the ground and prevent rot.
Fertilizing: Feed your garlic twice. Give it a balanced fertilizer in early spring as growth resumes. Then, switch to a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus fertilizer as the bulbs begin to swell (usually around early April).
Weeding: Keep the bed weed-free. Weeds compete fiercely for nutrients and water. The mulch you applied will help tremendously with this.
Pests and Diseases: Garlic has few pest problems. The most common issue in Texas is rot from overly wet soil, which is why drainage and proper watering are so critical. You might also watch for aphids, which can be sprayed off with a strong stream of water.
Harvesting and Curing Your Texas Garlic
Knowing when to harvest is as crucial as knowing when to plant. Harvest time in Texas typically falls from late May through June.
Don’t wait for the leaves to completely die back. Instead, watch for these signs:
* The bottom 3-4 leaves have turned brown.
* The top leaves are still somewhat green.
* The plant begins to look a bit “tired.”
To be sure, gently dig up a test bulb. The cloves should be well-formed and filling out the skin.
How to Harvest:
On a dry day, use a garden fork to gently loosen the soil beside the bulbs and lift them out. Avoid pulling by the stem, as it can break off. Brush off excess soil, but don’t wash the bulbs.
Curing is Essential:
Curing prepares your garlic for storage. Bundle 6-8 plants together and hang them, or lay them in a single layer on a rack. Place them in a warm, dry, dark, and well-ventilated spot (like a garage or shed) for 3-4 weeks. Once the necks are completely dry and the outer skin is papery, trim the roots and stems and store your garlic in a cool, dry place.
Common Garlic Growing Problems in Texas
Even with the best care, you might encounter a few issues.
* Small Bulbs: Usually caused by late planting, overcrowding, or insufficient nutrients (especially phosphorus).
* Yellowing Leaves Too Early: Can be a sign of overwatering, poor drainage, or a nitrogen deficiency.
* Premature Sprouting in Fall: This happens if you plant too early during a warm spell. The mulch layer helps moderate soil tempature.
* White Rot: A fungal disease that causes yellowing leaves and a white, fluffy growth on the bulb. There’s no cure; remove and destroy affected plants and avoid planting alliums in that spot for years.
FAQs for Texas Garlic Growers
Can I plant garlic from the grocery store in Texas?
You can try, but it’s not recommended. Store-bought garlic is often from varieties suited to cooler climates and may be treated to prevent sprouting. For reliable results, buy certified seed garlic.
What if I miss the fall planting window?
You can try planting in very early spring, but the bulbs will be much smaller. Fall planting is always prefered for a full-sized harvest.
Can I grow garlic in containers in Texas?
Absolutely. Use a deep pot (at least 12 inches) with excellent drainage holes. Fill with a high-quality potting mix and follow the same planting and care steps. Container garlic may need more frequent watering.
How do I know when to stop watering my garlic?
Stop watering about 2-3 weeks before your expected harvest date. This allows the outer skins to toughen up for better curing and storage.
Why did my garlic not form cloves?
This often happens if you plant a clove to shallow or if the plant experiences extreme stress (like heat or drought) very early in its development. Using the wrong type of garlic for your zone can also be a factor.
Getting your garlic crop started at the right moment sets the stage for everything that follows. By following these regional timing guides and preparation tips, you’ll give your garlic the best possible start. With a little patience through the winter months, you’ll be rewarded with a homegrown harvest that’s far superior to anything you can buy.