Growing garlic in Massachusetts is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Garlic is a hardy crop that grows best in cold temperatures and can be planted in the fall and harvested the following summer. With the right knowledge and preparation, anyone can successfully grow garlic in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts’s climate and hardiness zones
Massachusetts’s climate is generally mild and humid, with hot summers and cold winters. The state is located in the USDA Hardiness Zones 5-7, depending on the region. The northeastern region is located in Zone 5, with an average minimum temperature of -10°F to -20°F. The central and western regions are located in Zone 6, with an average minimum temperature of -10°F to 0°F, while the southeastern region is located in Zone 7, with an average minimum temperature of 0°F to 10°F.
Massachusetts experiences four distinct seasons, with each season bringing different types of weather. In the spring, temperatures begin to rise and the days become longer and sunnier. Rainfall is also common during this time of year. Summer is typically hot and humid, with temperatures averaging in the low 80s. The state also experiences thunderstorms and showers during this time. Fall is a transition period, with temperatures cooling down and the days becoming shorter. Winter is cold and snowy, with temperatures averaging in the low 20s. Snowfall is common during this time of year.
When to plant spring garlic in Massachusetts
Garlic can be planted in the spring or fall in Massachusetts. For spring planting garlic, you will want to purchase some high-quality garlic starter bulbs. You can plant garlic you find in the store, but selecting cloves that are specifically made for growing will yield better results.
When selecting garlic, you want to make sure the bulbs are firm and have no visible signs of decay. Any bulbs which are mushy Once you have your bulbs, you will need to separate the cloves and plant them in the ground.
Garlic can be planted outdoors once the weather has warmed and the soil can be worked. It’s among the earliest crops you can sow in the spring. When planting garlic, make sure to space the cloves at least 6 inches apart in a sunny area with well-drained soil. Plant the cloves two inches deep in the soil so that the pointed end is facing up. Water the garlic regularly and keep it free of weeds.
You can mulch your spring-planted garlic with dried leaves or straw to help retain moisture and suppress the growth of weeds. Garlic planted in the spring in Massachusetts won’t have as much time to grow as fall planted garlic, so your harvest in the fall may yield slightly smaller bulbs.
Aged manure, compost, and fresh rabbit manure are all great things to add at this time. I keep rabbits for their manure and always throw on a nice layer of rabbit manure when planting fall garlic.
When to plant fall garlic in Massachusetts
Some gardeners consider planting garlic in the fall in Massachusetts to be advantageous because it allows the garlic bulbs to get a head start on the growing season. In fall, they’ll begin to put down roots but likely won’t send up any growth. Those early roots are important for the plant’s development. As soon as the soil is warm enough to spur new growth, your garlic bulbs will be ready to rock and roll.
The exact timing for planting fall garlic will depend on your climate zone. The old-fashioned rule of thumb is to plant them right after the autumn equinox in September, but if you live in a very cold climate, you may want to get them in the ground a little bit before this date. If you live in a warmer climate, you can probably wait all the way until the middle of October to get them started. Knowing your climate is key to knowing when exactly to plant your fall garlic.
Planting garlic is extremely easy. If you’ve purchased bulbs from a nursery, you’re going to want to very carefully break up the bulb and free all of the cloves. Don’t get too aggressive! You don’t want to smash any of the bulbs by accident. Gently rubbing them between your hands should liberate the individual cloves.
Dig holes in a row three inches deep and six inches apart from one another. Carefully drop the cloves of garlic into each hole with the pointed side pointing up. Press them gently into the soil. Don’t jam them in too hard or deep. Cover the bulbs with an even layer of soil.
Aged manure, compost, and fresh rabbit manure are all great things to add at this time. I keep rabbits for their manure and always throw on a nice layer of rabbit manure when planting fall garlic.
Caring for garlic plants
Soil: Garlic plants require nutrient-rich, well-draining soil to thrive. Amend the soil with plenty of organic material such as compost or aged manure before planting. Garlic doesn’t do well in compacted, clay soils, so be sure to loosen up the soil!
Sunlight: Garlic needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, but preferably 8-10 hours of sunlight daily. Choose a location that gets plenty of sunlight. Insufficient sunlight may result in garlic that doesn’t thrive or produce bulbs.
Water: Garlic plants need between 0.5 and 1 inch of water per week, with ideal drainage in the soil. If there is not enough rainfall to reach this amount, it is necessary to water the plants manually to make up for it. Make sure to water deeply and infrequently, as too little or too much water can be damaging to the plants – too little can cause stress, and too much can lead to bulb rot.
Fertilizer: Aged manure, compost, and fresh rabbit manure are all great, natural fertilizers to provide your garlic bulbs. It’s best to provide these once at the time you plant your garlic bulbs.
When to harvest garlic in Massachusetts
The exact timing for when fall garlic is ready to be harvested in Massachusetts varies. Typically they’re ready to harvest in late summer to mid-fall. The timing doesn’t matter as much as the appearance of the crop. You know it’s time to harvest your fall garlic when its lower third leaves have turned brown and died, but its upper foliage is still nice and green.
It can be a little hard to know for sure that it’s time to harvest your garlic, but generally, if those bottom leaves are brown, it’s time to harvest. If they’re still green, it’s too early. There will be some green foliage at the tops of the plants, but don’t let that fool you. If those lower leaves are brown, it’s time to get down in the ground and dig up that garlic!
