How to Grow Garlic in Texas (Easy Guide in 2023)

This article will discuss in depth how to grow garlic in Texas. When planting garlic, be sure to prepare the planting area well before you plant. A well-drained bed with ample organic matter will ensure a robust garlic harvest.

Garlic is among the most simple food crops you can cultivate to grow in Texas. Learn how to cultivate this culinary staple in your backyard by following the tips and tricks below.

How to grow Garlic in Texas?

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Here are some suggestions to ensure you are successful in growing garlic inside  of your Texas garden:

Garlic prefers soil that is soft and loose. If you want to plant it in clay soil amend the beds with mulch or expanded slate, or put it in an elevated bed when the soil is in a poor state.

Plant cloves 2 inches deep root end down 5-9 inches apart.

As with all other greens in the garden Garlic should be kept well-watered throughout the spring. It could be every day if we’re dealing with drought.

Hard-necked garlic starts to produce flower stalks around 3-4 weeks before bulbs are ready to harvest. If you notice flower stems being produced, cut them down to ensure that the plant is putting power into bulbs rather than flowering. They are great for cooking with. One of my favorite ways of making use is to create compound butter.

How to Fertilize Garlic in Texas?

Garlic prefers nitrogen-rich fertilizer, however, it should not be subjected to heat stress.

In mid-September, make some compost and 8-2-4 fertilizer (or an equal proportion) into your soil (or a month before planting). This will give the compost and fertilizer time to mature.

When to Plant Garlic in North Texas?

The most common rule of thumb to plant garlic should be to wait 4-6 weeks prior to when the ground begins to freeze.

Since it is the case that ground here within North Texas rarely completely freezes gardeners in this region generally plant garlic between mid-October and early November.

This is the time when garden stores are stocked with garlic seeds and also when orders placed online are delivered. Garlic can be planted within North Texas until November.

See Also: How to Grow Potatoes in Texas

When to harvest Garlic in Texas?

Garlic is ready for harvest at the time that 3-4 of the lower leaves start to turn brown or yellow before falling over, however, there are about 50 percent green leaves left on the plant. Picking when some green leaves are still on the plant will help keep the bulb’s wrapper of paper intact and help in storage.

Garlic located in North Texas is usually ready to harvest between mid and late May, but the exact availability will vary based on the type of garlic. Certain varieties, like turbans, are ripe ahead of others. Therefore, be aware. If garlic is picked too late, then the bulbs may start to split and not be as convenient to keep.

Then, you can pick your clove by gently pulling it from the soil. If the soil is not firm then you can remove the entire plant from the soil. It is also possible to use a garden fork and slowly lift garlic from the soil beneath. Be cautious with this method. It is likely to cause damage to your garlic when you use metallic tools to harvest. Garlic that is damaged cannot be stored in a safe manner.

See Also: How to Grow Asparagus in Texas

How to Cure Garlic?

The garlic that you harvest should be tied into groups of five and hung in bunches for drying in a cool, dark space for about 4-6 weeks. It is also possible to spread garlic on a screen if you have room. Garlic is ready to be used by cutting the head about 1/2 inch higher than the head and there’s no green or moisture.

Where to buy garlic for planting?

I buy the seed of garlic at Gourmet Garlic Gardens. Garlic Garden has a bigg selection of cultivars and is the keeper of a large personal collection of garlic.

Popular Varieties of Garlic in Texas

Varieties

• Creole
• Tulip varieties
• Artichoke type: Lorz Italian

 

Conclusion

Hope this article made it easier for you to learn how to grow garlic in Texas. If you have any questions feel free to ask me in the comment section, I will be happy to answer them.  Thank you for reading and visiting.

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