Which month is the best time to plant garlic?

Garlic has won the favor of consumers for its unique spicy flavor, which can be paired with a variety of vegetables . In addition, it has strong adaptability and affordable price, and the scale of its cultivation has therefore grown rapidly. To date, the garlic industry has become a key industry in promoting economic development in some regions, and the edible value and nutritional benefits of garlic have also been widely recognized. So which month is the best time to plant garlic?

Which month is the best time to plant garlic?

Most areas are suitable for planting garlic in the fall, usually between September and October. If sown during this period, garlic can grow 5 to 6 leaves before winter. This is the time when the plant has the strongest cold resistance, which is conducive to safe wintering. The specific time can be adjusted appropriately according to local climatic conditions to ensure that the garlic has enough time to grow before frost.

In some areas with lower winter temperatures, it may be necessary to sow in the spring to avoid damage to the seedlings from severe cold. Spring sowing is usually done when the soil begins to thaw and the ground temperature reaches 3-6°C.

The climatic conditions in different regions are different, so the planting time will also vary. For example, in the Yangtze River Basin and areas to its south, sowing is generally done in mid-to-late September. Northern regions may need to sow in spring.

To ensure good growth of garlic, healthy and plump garlic cloves should be selected before sowing, and the soil should be properly prepared, including tilling, applying base fertilizer and making ridges. Garlic is not very demanding on soil, but prefers loose, well-drained soil. After planting, maintaining proper soil moisture and temperature management is key.

Garlic Planting Tips

Soil Preparation: Choose well-drained, fertile soil for planting. Till the soil deeply to provide ample oxygen and nutrients.

Seed selection: Choose fresh and healthy garlic heads as seed garlic, and germinate them in advance to increase the germination rate. Before sowing, peel off part of the garlic skin and remove the small cloves.

Planting density: plant spacing is controlled at 7-8cm, row spacing is 14-17cm, and 150-200kg of garlic seeds are planted per mu. Reasonable density of planting not only ensures quality, but also ensures yield.

Sowing depth: The sowing depth is generally 3-4cm. Too deep or too shallow will affect germination.

Temperature management: The suitable temperature for garlic germination is 14-20℃, and the growth temperature is best controlled at 15-25℃. Pay attention to sun protection in summer and keep warm in winter.

Water management: Water in time after planting to keep the soil moist. During the growth period, water appropriately according to the soil moisture to avoid excessive water causing the garlic cloves to rot.

Fertilization management: The base fertilizer is mainly organic fertilizer , with an appropriate amount of compound fertilizer . Top dressing is mainly nitrogen fertilizer, combined with phosphorus fertilizer and potassium fertilizer. Be careful not to apply too much nitrogen fertilizer and ensure the supplementation of trace fertilizers.

Garlic is a cool-weather crop, so it is usually planted in the fall, when the temperature starts to drop but before it freezes. When planting garlic, you should also pay attention to reasonable fertilization and timely watering to promote the healthy growth of garlic and increase yield. Garlic sown in autumn usually has better yield and quality than garlic sown in spring due to its longer growing period.