How to Plant Garlic in Michigan: A Beginner's Fall Gardening Guide
Want to know how to plant garlic in Michigan? Good news: it's one of the easiest things you can grow, and the timing actually works perfectly with our Zone 6 climate. You plant it in the fall when most of your garden is done for the season, and it basically does its own thing all winter while you're inside staying warm.
I planted garlic for the first time two falls ago on a whim because a neighbor gave me a few extra bulbs. I had no idea what I was doing, honestly. I just stuck them in my raised garden bed, threw some mulch on top, and forgot about them until spring. And when those green shoots started popping up in April, I was so excited.
Here's the thing nobody tells you about growing garlic: it is probably the most low maintenance crop you can grow. You do about 30 minutes of work in October, and then nature basically handles the rest. By July you're pulling out beautiful bulbs that taste a million times better than anything from the grocery store.
In this guide, I'm covering everything you need to know to grow garlic right here in Michigan, including:
🧄 When exactly to plant (timing matters more than you'd think!)
🌱 How to pick the right kind of garlic for our climate
❄️ What to do (and not do) over winter
🌾 How to know when it's time to harvest
🍽️ What to do with your garlic once you've picked it
Whether you've been gardening for years or you're just starting out, garlic is a perfect crop to add to your Michigan garden this fall.
🧄 When to Plant Garlic in Michigan (Exact Timing for Zone 6)
In Michigan, you want to get your garlic in the ground sometime between mid October and early November. The exact date depends on where you live in the state and what the weather is doing that year.
Here's what you're looking for:
The ground should have had a few light frosts already, but it should NOT be frozen solid yet. You need the soil to still be workable (meaning you can dig into it without a pickaxe). Once the ground freezes hard, it's too late.
Why plant in fall and not spring?
This trips people up! Garlic is a cool season crop, and it actually NEEDS that cold winter period to develop properly. The frost doesn't kill it. In fact, the cold is what triggers the garlic to start forming bulbs underground in spring.
If you plant garlic in spring, you'll get tiny, weak bulbs. Fall planting is the way to go for a big, flavorful harvest.
What happens if you plant too early?
If you plant garlic in September or early October when it's still warm, the cloves will start growing shoots too quickly before winter hits. Those shoots will then get killed by frost, which wastes the garlic's energy and leads to smaller bulbs.
What happens if you plant too late?
If you wait until November or December and the ground is already frozen or nearly frozen, the cloves can't establish roots before winter. They might still survive, but your harvest will suffer.
The sweet spot for Michigan: Watch your local weather and aim for after you've had 2 to 3 light frosts but before any hard freezes. For most of Michigan, this is mid to late October.
My experience: I planted my garlic on October 18th last year and it worked out perfectly. The ground was still easy to dig, and by spring everything was growing beautifully.
🌱 How to Plant Garlic Step by Step (Michigan Zone 6 Guide)
Here’s how I plant garlic step by step in my Michigan garden:
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Choose the right garlic
Look for seed garlic or garlic bulbs specifically meant for planting. Hardneck varieties tend to do best in Michigan’s cold climate. -
Break apart the cloves
Separate the bulb into individual cloves. Do not peel them. Keep the largest ones for planting and use the smaller ones for cooking. -
Prepare your soil
Garlic likes loose, well-drained soil. Mix in some compost or aged manure to help boost nutrients. -
Plant the cloves
Place cloves about 2 inches deep with the pointy end facing up. Space them around 4 to 6 inches apart in rows. You can plant garlic in grow bags; here is a link to grow bags on Amazon (affiliate link). -
Mulch generously
Cover with a thick layer of mulch like straw or shredded leaves. This protects the garlic from extreme cold and helps prevent weeds.
❄️ How to Care for Garlic Over Winter and Into Spring
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Once planted and mulched, garlic needs no attention during winter
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In spring, green shoots will start to pop through the mulch. You can pull back the mulch a little to let more sun in
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Water if the season is very dry but otherwise garlic is very self-sufficient
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In early summer, your garlic will grow flower stalks called scapes. Cut those off so the plant puts energy into the bulb. Bonus: you can cook with garlic scapes
🌾 When and How to Harvest Garlic in Michigan
Garlic is ready to harvest when about half the leaves have turned brown and dry, usually around mid to late July in Michigan. Loosen the soil gently with a garden fork and pull the bulbs out carefully. Let them dry or cure in a warm, airy spot out of direct sun for a few weeks.
Once cured, trim the roots and tops and store the bulbs in a cool, dry place. Homegrown garlic lasts for months and tastes incredible.
💡 Interesting Facts About Garlic
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Garlic has been grown for over 5,000 years
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It is a natural pest repellent and is often planted near roses and other veggies to keep bugs away
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Each garlic clove you plant becomes a whole new bulb
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Garlic contains allicin, which is known for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
🍽️ Why Growing Garlic is Worth It (Even for Beginners)
I love growing garlic because it is simple, takes up very little space, and it fits perfectly into my garden routine. You plant it when most other things are winding down and harvest it when the summer garden is just getting busy. Plus, garlic from your own garden tastes so much better than store-bought.
If you are looking for something fresh, flavorful, and fun to try in your garden this fall, I highly recommend giving garlic a shot. It is a great choice for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
📝 Simple Wrap-Up
Planting garlic has become one of my favorite parts of fall gardening. It is simple to grow, does not take up much space, and brings such a rewarding harvest the following summer. Whether you are growing in raised beds, garden soil, or even large containers, garlic is a forgiving crop that fits right into a sensible and simple gardening routine.
If you have never tried planting garlic before, I really recommend it. It is one of those crops that quietly grows while everything else is sleeping under the snow. Then in the spring, it gives you that little burst of green to get excited about again.
If you enjoyed this, you might like some of my other gardening posts where I share more about what’s growing in my backyard.
Let me know if you are planning to grow garlic this year or if you have a favorite variety. I always love hearing what others are growing.
Sensible and simple as always,
Kat
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