This video focuses on two practical decisions: choosing seed garlic and planting the cloves correctly. For complete written guidance covering the entire season, use our How to Grow Garlic guide.
Ready to choose a variety? Browse seed garlic and shallots or use the Garlic Selector to compare types.
What This Garlic Planting Video Demonstrates
- How hardneck and softneck garlic differ when you are choosing planting stock
- Why healthy seed garlic is preferable to bulbs selected only for eating
- How to separate a bulb into cloves without damaging the planting stock
- How to orient cloves with the pointed end facing upward
- How planting depth and spacing affect bed layout and later cultivation
- Why drainage, sunlight, and soil preparation matter before planting
Before You Plant
Choose a Garlic Type
Hardneck garlic commonly produces scapes and is often favored in colder climates. Softneck garlic generally performs well across a broad range of climates and is known for longer storage. Compare the traits in our hardneck versus softneck guide.
Match the Variety to Your Climate
Cold-winter performance, warm-climate adaptation, maturity, storage, and flavor vary among garlic types. Use the Garlic Selector for variety selection. Gardeners in mild-winter areas can also review our guide to vernalizing garlic.
Prepare the Planting Bed
Choose a sunny site with well-drained soil. Correct drainage or compaction before planting, and base fertilizer decisions on soil conditions rather than applying nutrients automatically. See fall soil preparation for garlic for a focused bed-preparation guide.
Planting Takeaways
- Keep bulbs intact until shortly before planting.
- Separate the cloves carefully and retain the papery skin.
- Plant each clove with the pointed end up.
- Use spacing that leaves room for bulb development and weed management.
- Water after planting when conditions require it, but do not leave the bed saturated.
- Label varieties so you can compare their performance at harvest.
Continue After Planting
The video intentionally stops at selection and planting. Continue with the complete garlic-growing guide for watering, fertilizing, scapes, pests, harvest, curing, and storage. You can also visit the Garlic Resource Center for topic-specific help.
Shop and Learn
Shop seed garlic and shallots or compare available varieties with the Garlic Selector.
Selection & Planting Video Resources
Use this video as a visual overview, then continue with the focused written guides.
