Garlic, the pungent and flavorful bulb beloved in kitchens worldwide, is a surprisingly versatile crop, especially when it comes to harvesting. Having a continuous supply of fresh, homegrown garlic throughout the year is achievable with a few clever gardening hacks.
While California has etched its position as the leading garlic producer in the US, accounting for 100% of the nation’s garlic in 2023,1 you too can do succession planting and other techniques to enjoy a non-stop harvest right in your own backyard.
How to Grow Garlic Plantings for a Non-stop Harvest

Growing garlic for a continuous harvest involves a few key strategies:
1. Selecting the Right Varieties
Some garlic varieties are better suited for early planting, while others prefer later planting. Research and select varieties that match your planting schedule.
2. Succession Planting
Succession planting is a gardening technique where you strategically plant different crops in the same space throughout the growing season. This maximizes your garden’s productivity and ensures a continuous harvest of various vegetables.
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How It Applies to Garlic
Garlic takes several months to mature, leaving the ground bare after harvest. Succession planting allows you to utilize this space efficiently by planting quick-growing crops after harvesting the garlic. This way, you can continue to reap the rewards from your garden even when the garlic is done.
3. Planting & Care
In general, garlic is planted in the fall, a few weeks before the first frost. This allows it to establish roots over the winter and emerge in the spring. However, in warmer climates with mild winters, garlic can also be planted in early spring.
4. Harvesting
The timing of your garlic harvest is vital for optimal flavor and storage potential. However, the exact timing depends on the variety of garlic and your local climate.
5. Storage
Once cured, cool, dark, and dry conditions help maintain the garlic’s pungent flavor and prevent it from sprouting or becoming moldy.
In addition, a dry environment discourages the growth of molds and fungi that can spoil your garlic.
How to Do Succession Garlic Planting
As mentioned above, part of growing an endless supply of garlic is to do succession planting.
This process involves the following steps:
1. Divide into Batches
Divide your garlic cloves into three or four batches for planting at different intervals.
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2. Planting Schedule
- First Batch: Plant the first batch in late October or early November, when temperatures begin to cool down.
- Second Batch: Plant the second batch 2-3 weeks after the first, around mid-November.
- Third Batch (Optional): If desired, plant a third batch 2-3 weeks after the second, around early December.
- Fourth Batch (Optional): In colder areas or for later-maturing varieties, you can plant a fourth batch in mid-December.
3. Planting Garlic
- Soil Preparation: Ensure well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Garlic prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0).
- Planting Depth and Spacing: Plant cloves 2-4 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart, with the pointed end facing up.
- Mulching: Apply a thick layer of mulch to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect against temperature fluctuations.
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry periods. Reduce watering as the bulbs mature.
- Fertilization: Garlic is a heavy feeder. Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting. You can also use a balanced fertilizer throughout the growing season.
Benefits of Succession Planting for Garlic
- Extended Harvest: You’ll have a continuous supply of fresh garlic throughout the season, rather than a single large harvest.
- Reduced Risk: Spreading out the planting reduces the risk of losing your entire crop to pests, diseases, or adverse weather conditions.
- Better Use of Space: You can use the same garden bed for multiple harvests, maximizing your available space.
Tips for Succession Planting
- Consider Local Climate: Monitor the weather patterns in your area and adjust the planting dates accordingly.
- Keep Records: Note the planting dates, varieties, and harvest times for each batch to fine-tune your schedule in future seasons.
- Crop Rotation: Avoid planting garlic in the same spot year after year to prevent disease buildup. Rotate with crops from different families.
- Companion Planting: Garlic can benefit from companion plants like beets, carrots, tomatoes, and peppers.
- Pest and Disease Control: Monitor for pests like onion maggots and diseases like white rot. Practice good sanitation and consider organic control methods if needed.
How to Harvest Your Garlic
Harvesting garlic typically occurs in the summer, but the exact timing depends on the variety and your specific climate. Here’s how to know when and how to harvest:
Once you see the signs that the garlic is ready for harvest, here are simple steps on how to do it:
How to Harvest
- Choose a Dry Day: Harvesting when the soil is dry helps prevent rot and makes curing easier.
- Loosen the Soil: Use a garden fork or shovel to loosen the soil around the bulbs, being careful not to damage them.
- Lift the Bulbs: Gently lift the bulbs out of the ground, keeping the stems attached. Avoid pulling on the stems, as they can break off.
- Brush off Excess Soil: Shake off loose soil, but don’t wash the bulbs yet.
- Cure the Garlic: Bundle the garlic by the stems and hang them upside down in a well-ventilated, dry, and shady location for 2-4 weeks. This curing process allows the flavors to develop and the outer layers to dry, improving storage life.
Signs of Readiness
Look for the following signs to determine when your garlic is ready to harvest:
- Yellowing Leaves: The lower leaves of the garlic plant will start to yellow and dry out.
- Softneck Varieties: In softneck garlic, the tops will begin to flop over when they are ready.
- Hardneck Varieties: Hardneck garlic will send up a scape (flower stalk) that curls over and straightens out when the bulb is mature.
Post-Harvest Care
- Trim Roots and Tops: After curing, trim the roots and tops, leaving about an inch of stem attached.
- Clean (Optional): You can gently remove the outermost layer of papery skin if desired, but it’s not necessary for storage.
- Store: Hardneck varieties typically last for 4-6 months, while softneck varieties can store up to 8-10 months.
Note: If you wait too long to harvest, the bulbs may split open in the ground, reducing their storage potential. Set aside the largest cloves for replanting in the fall to ensure a continuous supply of homegrown garlic.
Source:
Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.