Fertilizing Garlic [Detailed Guide]

Garlic Needs To Feed! No question Garlic is a low-maintenance, non-nonsense crop. But any plant that grows as long as Garlic does (8 to 10 months!) is going to need some supplementation. Don’t worry, we got you covered. In this article, we’re talking about fertilizing garlic. We’ll look at how to feed, when to feed, and what to feed your Garlic with so you can be enjoying the biggest bulbs this summer!

Garlic lies dormant for so much of its life. In some cases over half its life cycle to begin with is in this quasi-state of dormancy.

However, I’ve dug them up after two months in the ground in the frozen days of December and the cloves are for sure growing.

The second the garlic hits moist soil in the fall it starts to grow. White roots appear within days and in years that it’s warmer, the plants are going to sprout even before winter.

Given the mild climate that actually happens to me every fall and winter and yet, I still don’t fertilize before spring.

In that window of time between when you plant and the spring thaw you should be able to get away without applying fertilizer.

If you’re like me and you consistently build up your soils with organic matter and you amend with some compost in the fall at the time of planting your garlic shouldn’t need anything from you until the spring.

When to fertilizer garlic?

With spring in full swing as well as your garlic, now is the time for that first round of fertilizer.

Right around that last spring frost date depending on the ups and downs of winter your garlic should have sprouted. In fact, it could be as tall as six inches or more. Right now is when they need their first dose of nutrients.

What fertilizer to use?

For garlic, you want to skew higher in nitrogen. That’s the first number describing the NPK on any commercial fertilizer. One good liquid feed through that mulch gets the garlic party started.

Spring does what spring does. The weather warms up and the rains fall. Both of those things are going to deplete the nutrient levels in an actively growing garlic patch.

How much to fertilize garlic?

So one more time at least six weeks before that mid-summer harvest window you’re going to apply another round of fertilizing. Same as before, just dilute to the manufacturer’s specs and water from above.

You don’t want to feed again any later than this, any closer to that harvest, as that could delay or even stunt the bulb growth.

That’s it. Two feedings. Once when the garlic wakes up in the spring and then again four to eight weeks later depending on your climate.

Thanks for reading guys.

FAQs on Fertilizing Garlic

When should I stop fertilizing garlic?

STOP fertilizing a week before the garlic scapes begin to appear. There is no need for additional fertilizer because the bulb will start to form.

Can you over-fertilize garlic?

Garlic should not be overfertilized with nitrogen as this can result in excessive top growth.

What is the best fertilizer for garlic?

Early in the spring, fertilize garlic by side dressing or distributing it with blood meal, pelleted chicken dung, or a synthetic source of nitrogen.

How many times do you fertilize garlic?

Garlic needs fertilizing every three to four weeks.

Should you fertilize garlic in winter?

Garlic should not be excessively fertilized in the fall or winter as this could result in irregular growth known as witches’ brooming.

Is Epsom salt good for garlic?

You can increase the potency of your garlic by sprinkling a few teaspoons of Epsom salts over each square meter of your planting area.

What kind of mulch is best for garlic?

Garlic does not compete well with weeds, and studies have shown that covering garlic with straw or roughly chopped leaves throughout the winter increases output.

Does garlic need lime in the soil?

If your soil contains acid, add some lime, and place your garlic field in full sunlight.

What do you put in garlic soil?

The optimal soil for growing garlic is well-drained, moisture-retentive, and between pH 6.0 and 7.0. By adding compost or well-rotted manure in the spring or fall, you can increase the organic matter content of your soil.