Garlic, as we all know, is one of the few crops that are planted during the rainy season. Ahead of this year one can simply plant a clove, cover it with mulch, and will be ready for harvest during the dry season.
Read also: WHEN TO PLANT GARLIC IN ZONE 7
The Allium sativum plant is one of the first plants that mankind has ever cultivated. This perennial vegetable, herb, and functional food, also known as “the stinking rose,” was originally a wild species native to Asia.
It has since naturalized throughout Europe and is adaptable to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. USDA zone 6 is ideal for cultivating garlic due to its mild climate and lengthy growing season.
Allium sativum var. Sativum, Allium sativum var. Ophioscorodon, and giant garlic, also known as elephant garlic, are the three basic varieties of garlic (Allium ampeloprasum). All three will grow in USDA zone 6, however some will do better in particular areas of this zone.
For instance, hardneck varieties like “Purple Italian” (Allium sativum “Purple Italian”) thrive in the chilly winters and cool springs typical of states north of latitude 37 degrees, whereas softneck varieties like “California Early” (Allium sativum “California Early”) are best suited to the temperate climate of southern regions in zone 6.
Elephant garlic, which is larger but less resilient and better known as a variety of leek (Allium ampeloprasum), is not a real garlic.
Garlic can be planted at any time of year, but fall planting results in larger, more flavorful bulbs. For the majority of locations within USDA zone 6, garlic should be planted after the first frost and four to six weeks before the ground freezes.
This usually occurs in mid-October. However, because garlic needs a cold period to sprout, if you live in a southern part of zone 6 and the temperature is still above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, you should chill the bulbs for two to three weeks before planting.
Break bulbs apart by hand a few days prior to planting, but do not peel them. Plant cloves 5 to 6 inches apart, 4 inches deep, and with the pointed end up. Finish up with 3 to 4 inches of mulch made of straw, compost, or leaf litter. To ensure that the mulch remains in place, water the area.
Garlic can be planted at any time of year, but fall planting results in larger, more flavorful bulbs.
For the majority of locations within USDA zone 6, garlic should be planted after the first frost and four to six weeks before the ground freezes. This usually occurs in mid-October.
However, because garlic needs a cold period to sprout, if you live in a southern part of zone 6 and the temperature is still above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, you should chill the bulbs for two to three weeks before planting.
In the spring, after the risk of frost has gone (mid-May in zone 6), remove mulch. The flower stalk or scape that is produced by hard neck garlic needs to be trimmed short (or cooked) since it reduces the size of the bulb.
In May and June, water plants every three to five days, or more frequently if conditions are extremely dry, to keep them equally moist while they are growing bulbs and leaves. Zone 6 garlic is ready to be harvested between June and July, as seen by the lower half of the leaves turning brown.
