If you’re a gardener in zone 5b, knowing when to plant garlic is the single most important step for a successful harvest. Getting the timing right ensures your cloves develop strong roots before winter and get the chilling period they need. This guide will walk you through the optimal timing for planting and all the steps to grow big, flavorful bulbs.
Planting garlic is different from most vegetables. You don’t plant it in the spring for a summer crop. Instead, you plant it in the fall for a harvest the following summer. This fall planting allows the garlic to go through a natural cold period called vernalization, which is essential for the clove to split and form a new bulb.
When to Plant Garlic in Zone 5b – Optimal Timing for Planting
The classic rule for zone 5b is to plant garlic in the fall, about 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes solid. This usually means a planting window from early October to early November. However, the exact date changes a bit each year depending on the weather.
You want the cloves to have enough time to establish roots, but not so much time that they send up green shoots above the soil line before winter. Those tender shoots would be damaged by hard frosts.
How to Find Your Specific Planting Date
Instead of just circling a date on your calendar, use these two natural signs to hit the perfect timing:
- Soil Temperature: Aim for a soil temperature at planting depth (about 4 inches) of 50°F (10°C). You can use a simple soil thermometer to check this.
- After the First Light Frost: A good visual cue is to plant after you’ve had your first light frost, but well before the hard freezes set in. This often coincides with that ideal soil temperature.
If you miss the fall window, you can try planting very early in the spring as soon as the soil is workable. However, spring-planted garlic often produces smaller bulbs because it misses the full vernalization period. The harvest time will also be later.
Choosing the Right Garlic for Zone 5b
Not all garlic is the same. There are two main types, and one is much better suited for our cold winters.
- Hardneck Garlic: This is the best choice for zone 5b. It is extremely cold-hardy and actually requires a prolonged cold period to develop correctly. Hardnecks produce a central stalk called a scape, which you can harvest and eat. They have fewer, larger cloves per bulb and a more complex flavor.
- Softneck Garlic: This type is better for milder climates. It’s what you typically see braided in stores. It has more cloves per bulb and stores longer, but it’s less cold-tolerant. In a harsh zone 5b winter, it might not survive without extra protection.
Always buy your planting garlic from a reputable seed company or local farm. Do not plant garlic from the grocery store, as it is often treated to prevent sprouting and may not be a variety suited to your climate.
Recommended Hardneck Varieties for Zone 5b
- Music
- German Extra Hardy
- Polish White
- Chesnok Red
Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Garlic
Follow these steps for the best results.
- Prepare the Soil: Garlic needs loose, fertile, and well-draining soil. Choose a spot that gets full sun. A few weeks before planting, work in several inches of compost or well-rotted manure. Avoid fresh manure, as it can harm the cloves.
- Break the Bulbs: A day or two before planting, gently break the garlic bulbs apart into individual cloves. Leave the papery skin on each clove. Choose the largest, healthiest cloves for planting—the bigger the clove, the bigger the potential bulb.
- Plant the Cloves: Plant each clove pointed end up, root side down. The planting depth is crucial: plant them 3 inches deep in heavier soils, or up to 4 inches deep in sandy soils. Space the cloves 6-8 inches apart in rows that are 12 inches apart.
- Mulch Heavily: After planting, water the bed well if the soil is dry. Then, apply a thick 4-6 inch layer of mulch. Straw, shredded leaves, or grass clippings work perfectly. This mulch insulates the soil, prevents heaving from freeze-thaw cycles, and suppresses weeds in the spring.
Garlic Care Through the Seasons
Your work in the fall sets the stage, but a little care in the spring and summer ensures a great harvest.
Spring Care
In early spring, you’ll see green shoots emerge through the mulch. Leave the mulch in place to supress weeds. As the weather warms, you can thin the mulch layer a bit if it’s very thick. Garlic needs about 1 inch of water per week from spring until a few weeks before harvest.
The Importance of Scapes
If you planted hardneck garlic, around early June you’ll see a curly flower stalk, or scape, emerge from the center of the plant. It’s important to cut this off when it makes one or two loops. This directs the plant’s energy back into growing a large bulb underground, instead of into making a flower and seed.
The good news is, scapes are delicious! You can chop them and use them like green onions or garlic in stir-fries, pestos, and more.
When and How to Harvest
Harvest time in zone 5b is typically late June through July. Garlic does not tell you it’s ready by flowering. Instead, watch the leaves.
- Stop watering about two weeks before you expect to harvest.
- When the bottom 3-4 leaves have turned brown, but the top 5-6 leaves are still green, it’s time to test. Carefully dig up one bulb to check.
- The bulb should be well-sized, and the wrappers around it should be tight and papery.
To harvest, use a garden fork to gently loosen the soil beside the plant and lift the bulbs. Avoid pulling by the stem, as it can break. Brush off excess soil, but do not wash the bulbs.
Curing and Storing Your Garlic
Proper curing is essential for long storage. You must cure the bulbs in a dry, shaded, and well-ventilated place for 3-4 weeks. A garage, covered porch, or shed is ideal.
- Lay the plants in a single layer on a rack or screen, or tie them in small bunches and hang them.
- After the curing period, the roots will be dry and brittle, and the wrappers papery. Trim the roots close to the bulb and cut the stems back to about an inch, unless you plan to braid them.
- Store your cured garlic in a cool, dark, and dry place. A mesh bag or a wire basket allows for good air flow. Properly cured hardneck garlic can store for 5-8 months.
Common Problems and Solutions in Zone 5b
Garlic is relatively pest-free, but a few issues can pop up.
- Winter Kill: If cloves don’t have enough mulch or are planted too shallow, a severe cold snap can damage them. Always use a thick mulch layer and plant at the recommended depth.
- Weeds: Garlic doesn’t compete well with weeds. The thick fall mulch helps immensely, but stay on top of any spring weeds that emerge.
- Diseases: White rot and botrytis rot can occur, especially in wet conditions. The best prevention is to rotate your garlic bed every 3-4 years and avoid planting in poorly draining soil. Always plant healthy, disease-free cloves.
FAQ: Garlic Planting in Zone 5b
Can I plant garlic from the store?
It’s not recommended. Store-bought garlic is often from warmer climates (like China or California) and may be softneck varieties that aren’t winter-hardy. It can also be treated with growth inhibitors. For best results, buy seed garlic from a supplier in a similar climate zone.
What if I planted my garlic too late in the fall?
If the ground isn’t frozen yet, go ahead and plant. The cloves may not establish as many roots, but they will still get some chilling. Add an extra thick layer of mulch (6+ inches) to protect them through the winter. They might be a bit smaller at harvest, but you’ll still get garlic.
My garlic sprouted green tops in late fall. Is that bad?
A little green growth is usually not a problem, especially if you had a warm spell. The thick mulch will help protect those shoots. They may die back over winter, but the clove should regrow in the spring. Try to plant a little later next year.
When do you remove the mulch in spring?
You don’t need to fully remove it. Just leave it in place as a weed barrier. If it’s extremely thick, you can pull some back from the emerging shoots, but the decomposing mulch will feed the soil.
Can I use my own garlic as seed for next year?
Absolutely! This is a great way to become self-sufficient. Simply set aside your largest, most perfect bulbs from your harvest to replant in the fall. Over time, you’ll be selecting for garlic that thrives in your specific garden conditions.
Getting the timing right for planting garlic in zone 5b makes all the difference. By following this schedule and steps, you’ll give your garlic the best possible start. With a little fall effort, you can look forward to a bountiful harvest of homegrown garlic next summer. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of pulling up your own perfectly formed bulbs.