How to Plant Garlic in Texas
- Choose the right variety of garlic: Texas is known for its hot and humid climate, so it's important to choose a variety of garlic that is well suited for these conditions. Softneck varieties tend to do well in Texas.
- Select a sunny location: Garlic plants need plenty of sunlight to grow and thrive. Choose a spot in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight.
- Prepare the soil: Garlic prefers well-draining, sandy loam soil with a pH between 6 and 7. Add compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil and improve drainage.
- Planting garlic cloves: Break apart the garlic bulb into individual cloves, making sure to keep the papery skin intact. Plant the cloves root end down and pointed end up, about 2 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart in rows spaced 12 inches apart.
- Watering and mulching: Water the garlic plants regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Mulch around the plants with straw or shredded leaves to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer high in nitrogen in the early spring when the garlic plants are actively growing. Avoid fertilizers high in sulfur as this can affect the flavor of the garlic.
- Harvesting: Garlic is typically ready to harvest when the foliage begins to turn brown and die back. Carefully dig up the bulbs with a garden fork, being careful not to damage them, and allow them to cure in a cool, dry place for a few weeks.
- Storage: Once the garlic bulbs are cured, remove any excess dirt and trim the roots and foliage. Store the garlic in a cool, dark place with good ventilation to prevent molding.
