5 Mistakes to Avoid When Planting Garlic This Fall
If you're getting ready to plant garlic this fall (and we hope you are), now’s the perfect time to set yourself up for success. Garlic is surprisingly low-maintenance, but a few common mistakes can make the difference between big, beautiful bulbs and a disappointing harvest.
At Southwest Garlic Co., we’ve planted thousands of cloves in our Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) fields—and we’ve learned a lot along the way. Here's how to avoid the most common garlic-planting pitfalls.
❌ Mistake #1: Planting Grocery Store Garlic
It might be tempting to grab a few heads from the grocery store and toss them in the ground—but it’s not a great idea. Most store-bought garlic:
Has been treated to prevent sprouting
Is not bred for your climate
May carry soil-borne diseases
Instead: Always plant certified seed garlic from a trusted grower (like us ). We offer heirloom varieties specifically suited for fall planting and backyard success.
❌Mistake #2: Planting Too Early (or Too Late)
Timing matters more than you might think. If you plant too early, the garlic may sprout above ground before winter, making it vulnerable to cold damage. Too late, and the roots won’t establish before the ground freezes.
Instead:
Plant your garlic 2–4 weeks before your ground typically freezes. Check your USDA zone and aim for:
Zone 5–6: Mid to late October
Zone 7–8: Late October to early November
(For more details, check out our blog post “When to Plant Garlic in your Zone: A Quick Guide”.)
❌Mistake #3: Skipping Soil Prep
Garlic loves loose, well-drained, fertile soil. If you drop cloves into hard-packed or poor soil, you’ll get undersized bulbs—and maybe rot if it stays too wet.
Instead:
Amend your soil with compost or aged manure and test for proper pH (around 6.0–7.0). Work the soil to at least 6 inches deep. Garlic rewards good prep with strong growth and big bulbs!
❌Mistake #4: Planting Cloves the Wrong Way
Yes, orientation matters! Planting cloves upside-down (or sideways) forces the sprout to work against gravity—wasting energy and weakening growth.
Instead:
Plant cloves pointy end up, root end down. Push each clove about 2–3 inches deep and 4–6 inches apart, then cover and mulch well.
❌Mistake #5: Not Mulching After Planting
Skipping mulch is one of the biggest rookie mistakes. Mulch acts like a winter blanket, protecting your cloves from freeze-thaw cycles, suppressing weeds, and keeping moisture consistent.
Instead:
After planting, cover your garlic bed with 3–6 inches of straw, shredded leaves, or grass clippings. In spring, you can pull it back slightly to help the soil warm up.
🧄Ready to Plant? We’ve Got What You Need
Avoiding these 5 common mistakes is the first step toward a healthy, flavorful garlic harvest. And if you're still looking for the perfect cloves to plant, check out our collection of Certified Naturally Grown heirloom seed garlic — grown with love and soil-smart practices right here at Southwest Garlic Co..
Shop seed garlic now!
Questions about planting garlic?
We love helping fellow growers get their garlic in the ground. Drop your questions in our contact form—we're here to help you grow great garlic.
Happy planting,
— The Southwest Garlic Co. Team