By Jessica Carlson 

OtterTail County Master Gardener Intern

Garlic is a dependable crop for Minnesota gardeners, even in Zone 4. Fall just happens to be the best time to plant it! The University of Minnesota Extension recommends planting garlic in October after the soil has cooled but before it has frozen, usually one or two weeks after the first killing frost. Garlic requires the cold of winter to develop full bulbs and will not produce as well if planted in the spring.

There are several garlic varieties that have proven more successful and relatively disease‑resistant under Minnesota conditions. Two porcelain hardneck varieties, Music and Chesnok Red, have been tested on UMN research farms and by growers across Minnesota with good results for yield, flavor, and ability to store. German Extra Hardy is another porcelain variety favored for its hardiness and large bulb size; many in the Upper Midwest report that it performs reliably. Softneck varieties are less commonly mentioned in UMN sources as top‑performers for long winters, but Inchelium Red is one softneck that appears in recent trials and in regional seed garlic directories as a good choice.

To plant garlic, use bulbs purchased from a reliable garden source, there are many online retailers. Avoid grocery store garlic, which may carry disease or be unsuited to Minnesota’s climate. Separate bulbs into individual cloves with the papery skins intact. Plant each clove three inches deep and six inches apart in well‑drained soil that receives full sun. After the ground has frozen, cover the planting bed with four to six inches of straw, shredded leaves, or another loose mulch to protect the cloves through winter.

Garlic will sprout in early spring and should be watered and weeded regularly throughout the season. In June, plants form curly flower stalks called scapes. These should be removed so the plant directs its energy into forming larger bulbs. But don’t discard them, eat them! There are many delicious garlic scape recipes out there and they are very desirable in culinary circles. Your garlic will be ready to harvest in mid to late July when the lower leaves turn yellow and dry while the upper leaves remain green. Carefully dig the bulbs and dry them for two to three weeks in a well‑ventilated area out of sunlight, and store them in a cool, dry location.

Saving bulbs from the healthiest plants each year is encouraged, make sure there are no signs of disease. Garlic can be one of the most rewarding crops for the home garden. It provides a reliable harvest and a delicious staple to the kitchen.  For more information on growing garlic, such as recommended soil pH and fertility reccomendations visit https://extention.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-garlic