If you've ever bitten into a truly great clove of garlic — rich, complex, nothing like the papery stuff from the grocery store — you already know why growing your own is worth it. The good news? Fall-planted garlic is one of the most rewarding and low-maintenance crops you can grow. The even better news? Now (spring and early summer) is the perfect time to start planning so you're ready to hit the ground running when planting season arrives in autumn.
Let's walk through everything you need to think about before you put a single clove in the ground.
Why Plan in the Spring for a Fall Planting?
Garlic is planted in the fall — typically October through November depending on your climate — and harvested the following summer. That means the window to source quality seed garlic, prep your beds, and choose your varieties is right now. Good seed garlic sells out. The varieties you want may not be available if you wait until September to start thinking about it.
Think of spring as your garlic garden's planning season. Summer is your prep season. Fall is go time.
Step 1: Choose Your Varieties
This is the fun part. Not all garlic is created equal, and the variety you choose will shape everything from flavor to harvest timing to how well it performs in your specific climate.
Here are three excellent varieties to consider:
Russian Red is a Rocambole-type hardneck that's beloved for its bold, rich flavor and easy-to-peel cloves. It thrives in cooler climates and is a favorite among garlic enthusiasts who prioritize taste above all else. If you want garlic that makes your kitchen smell incredible, Russian Red is a strong contender.
Music is a Porcelain-type hardneck and one of the most popular varieties for home growers — and for good reason. It produces large, beautiful bulbs with 4–6 fat cloves, stores well, and has a robust flavor that works beautifully both raw and cooked. It's also quite adaptable across a range of climates, making it a great choice if you're newer to growing garlic.
Inchelium Red is a softneck variety, which means it stores longer than hardnecks — sometimes up to a year under the right conditions. It has a mild, complex flavor and is an excellent braiding garlic if you want to hang your harvest. If you're in a warmer climate where hardnecks can struggle, Inchelium Red is a go-to.
Pro tip: Don't limit yourself to just one variety. Growing two or three lets you compare flavors, stagger your harvest slightly, and figure out what grows best in your specific soil and microclimate.
Step 2: Know Your Climate and Hardiness Zone
Garlic is pretty forgiving, but variety selection matters when it comes to climate. As a general rule:
- Hardneck varieties (like Russian Red and Music) prefer cold winters. They need a period of vernalization — essentially a cold snap — to develop properly. If you're in USDA zones 3–7, hardnecks are your best bet.
- Softneck varieties (like Inchelium Red) are more adaptable and do well in milder winters, making them a better fit for zones 7–10.
Not sure what zone you're in? The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is a great starting point, but also pay attention to your local microclimate — a sheltered south-facing bed can behave like a warmer zone than your official designation. For a full breakdown of when to plant by zone, check out our guide: When to Plant Garlic by Zone.
Step 3: Plan Your Bed
Garlic loves:
- Full sun — at least 6 hours a day
- Well-drained soil — it will rot in waterlogged ground
- Rich organic matter — compost worked into the bed before planting goes a long way
Now is a great time to start amending your soil. If you're doing a soil test (highly recommended), get it done in spring or early summer so you have time to adjust pH and nutrient levels before fall. Garlic prefers a soil pH of around 6.0–7.0.
Spacing matters too. Plan for cloves to be planted about 6 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. A 4x8 raised bed can comfortably hold around 50–60 cloves — enough for a solid harvest.
Step 4: Source Your Seed Garlic Early
This is where a lot of first-time growers get caught off guard. Seed garlic — garlic specifically grown and selected for replanting — is not the same as the garlic you buy at the grocery store. Grocery store garlic is often treated to inhibit sprouting and may carry disease. Seed garlic is clean, vigorous, and selected for performance.
The best seed garlic sources sell out by late summer. If you find varieties you love, order early. Most reputable suppliers (like us!) ship in the fall, so ordering ahead doesn't mean you'll receive it too early.
You've Got Time — But Not Forever
The beauty of planning now is that you're not rushed. You can research varieties, test your soil, build or amend your beds, and order your seed garlic with plenty of lead time. By the time October rolls around, you'll be ready to plant with confidence instead of scrambling at the last minute.
Garlic is one of those crops that rewards a little forethought with a big, flavorful payoff. Start planning today, and next summer you'll be pulling beautiful bulbs out of the ground wondering why you didn't start sooner.
Ready to Get Started?
Browse our selection of premium seed garlic — including Russian Red, Music, and Inchelium Red — and reserve yours before we sell out. We begin shipping in September and include instructions on how to properly store your garlic before planting in case you plan on planting in October or November.