Garlic is one of the most beneficial herbs you can grow – add it to any meal for an immunity boost and a host of other benefits. In the garden, garlic is similar to onion in appearance, and one clove will grow one bulb of garlic.
| Garlic | Allium sativum L. |
| Season (FL) | Fall, Winter |
| Soil type | Fertile and well-draining |
| Light | Partial shade |
| Water | Moist but not saturated |
| Mature plant size | 12” high |
| Harvest in | 6 to 8 months |
Growing garlic in Florida
Garlic will grow in Florida if the conditions are right, and with the right types of garlic. Winter is the optimal growing time, and a light freeze is not a threat for these cold-loving crops.
Recommended varieties for Florida
There are hardneck and softneck varieties of garlic. Softneck garlic, as the name implies, is softer in the center rather than turning rigid as the plant matures. Softneck varieties tend to fare better in the Florida heat, though there are hardneck varieties that will grow just fine as well. Listed here are the varieties that are said to do well in Florida, however I have not yet tested them all, and I plan to as the next growing season comes around.
Softnecks
These are the most suitable for warm climates.
Artichokes
- Red Toch (Tochliavri – named after the small village in the Republic of Georgia) – beautiful with red and pink stripes; mild and complex in flavor and not as pungent as other varieties – early season variety
- Inchelium Red – denser and heavier bulbs than other artichoke varieties; mild but lingering flavor which can be spicy when first harvested but mellows over time
- Lorz italian – prolific; robust, bold and spicy flavor
- Thermadrone – french softneck with a true deep garlic flavor
Silverskins — the longest storing garlic (12+ months) I haven’t found a Florida friendly variety but check out more information on Silverskins here
Hardnecks
Creole – hardy and smaller than other garlic varieties
- Ajo Rojo – hardneck but genetically distinct from hardneck and softneck varieties
- Pescadero Red – small creole with mild flavor and pungency
- Burgundy – richly flavorful with mellow pungency; small creole purple cloves garlic
Turban – tolerant of warm winters
- Shilla – hardneck – early harvesting and rich in flavor, moderately pungent – earliest harvest – easier to cure before wet summers
Porcelain
- Georgian Crystal – hardneck garlic in the Porcelain family; easy to grow; great flavor and large bulbs
- Music – large cloves and great shelf life (9ish months)
When to grow garlic in Florida
Garlic grows in the cold months in Florida. Purchase your garlic cloves by September so you can begin the vernalization process. By November your garlic cloves are ready to be planted in the ground. Since garlic will take 6 to 8 months to mature, you’ll want to plant them as soon (in the cool season) as possible. This will give the bulbs time to mature before the warm spring and summer temperatures arrive.
What you’ll need
Purchase garlic cloves online or at a local garden center, in August or September. Garlic does not produce seed and is propagated by dividing the bulbs. Look for soft necked varieties or refer to the aforementioned list of suitable varieties.
Vernalize to stimulate cold weather
After purchasing your garlic in September, stick it in the fridge for about 10 weeks to simulate cold weather. Keep it in paper bags at temperatures between 40-50° for 6 to 12 weeks (about 10 weeks is best in Central Florida).
This process will trick the garlic into thinking it has been through winter already and that our Florida ‘winter’ is actually a nice long spring. Don’t remove them from the fridge until you’re ready to plant – they will begin to sprout immediately.
Plant the cloves in the garden in November.
How to plant garlic
After vernalizing, plant your garlic cloves in late November or early December. For best results, plant them in a space that gets some afternoon shade. Garlic likes the cooler weather and exposing it to Florida’s intense afternoon sun (or hotter than 90°F) could cause it to mature too quickly, resulting in smaller bulbs.
- Amend the planting area with plenty of compost and don’t be afraid to also add additional compost to each planting hole.
- Plant cloves in the soil with roots facing downward.
- Place individual cloves 4 to 6 inches apart.
- Mulch immediately after planting.
Growing garlic in containers
Garlic will grow just fine in containers. Choose a location that gets morning sun and afternoon shade, ideally. Follow the instructions above.
6 tips on caring for your garlic
Garlic is relatively low-maintenance since it doesn’t require much pruning or pest management.
- Cutting off the green parts (the scape) will encourage more energy going to root (bulb) production. You can cut these off regularly, and prepare them like chives.
- Keep the growing area free of weeds, which will interfere with root (bulb) growth.
- Keep roots cool so bulbs don’t mature too quickly — bulbs will end up smaller if they mature too fast. Plenty of mulch, or a layer of straw, at the time of planting and on an ongoing basis will maintain cooler soil temperatures.
- Plant cloves further down (4 inches or so) to encourage roots to grow deeper. Watering less frequently, but heavier, will also encourage deeper root growth.
- Plant in soil with good drainage and mix in compost to the soil and each hole. Mushroom compost is a great option.
- Consider a high nitrogen fertilizer in the vegetative growth stage in early spring.
Watering
Watering once a week should be enough – stick your finger an inch or two into the soil to test moisture. It should feel wet but not muddy or the cloves could rot.
Feeding
Garlic will require plenty of nitrogen to prosper. Yellow leaves are a sign of nitrogen deficiency. Amending the planting area with plenty of compost will help. Fish emulsion fertilizer is another great option.
When to harvest garlic
You’ll know that garlic is ready for harvest when half the leaves have dried and bent towards the ground, generally speaking and depending on the variety. If it’s dying back, it probably has bulbs on it. Garlic will be ready around May or June if planted in November or December. In the meantime, you can eat the greens like chives – they’re garlicky too!
Preserving your garlic harvest
Trim the roots after harvest, especially in humid climates to prevent rotting or mold. Leave the stalks attached.
Garlic must be well dried and cured indoors or in a dry area outdoors like a shed. Cure your harvest for 4 to 6 weeks – hang or spread out to maximize air flow and prevent mold or rot. After curing, cut off the leaves and store in a cool, dark place until ready to cook.
Save some cloves for next season’s planting by storing at about 50° for 9 months. Don’t put these in an airtight container or moisture will get trapped inside and lead to rot and mold.
Suggested recipes for garlic
Everything. Add this medicinal magic to all savory meals.
Sources
https://www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com/warm-winter-growing.html