I planted a lot of garlic last year in raised beds, but I've noticed some concerning signs. The garlic leaves are mushy, probably because of the heavy snow we've had this winter here in SW Missouri (zone 6b). When I checked one of the cloves, it pulled out of the ground easily and was almost completely disintegrated—wet, soft, and mushy. I haven't watered in months, and I realize this garlic is store-bought. Last year, my store garlic did well, but this winter has been much harsher. Is there any chance these cloves might sprout again?
2 Answers
Just a heads-up: store garlic is typically softneck and usually not meant for winter planting since hardneck types are better suited for that. I planted store garlic last season without any issues—got about a 70% yield. This year, I’m running a side-by-side experiment with store garlic in one bed and seed garlic in the other to compare results.
Yeah, heavy snow can lead to soggy soil which might be causing the cloves to rot. Just keep an eye on the weather conditions!
It's normal for garlic cloves to break down after they sprout when they've used up all their energy. However, the mushy leaves are a bit worrisome, and that’s not something you want to see. It might indicate some sort of issue, like rot, which can happen if the conditions are too wet. You could try to salvage the remaining bulbs if they're still somewhat firm!
Thanks for the insight! I didn't realize they could disintegrate like that after sprouting.
That’s interesting! I know the type I’m trying, but I’m just wondering if all the snow is causing the problems. The temps are fine, but we've had so much more moisture this winter.