I'm planting garlic for the first time, but my soil is super dry since we haven't had much rain this summer. I worked the ground, which was rock hard, and added some organic matter, then watered it to keep it moist before planting the garlic cloves. I've read that once planted, you don't have to water the garlic like you would with other seedlings and can just leave it be until harvest. Is that true? Since it's still pretty warm (27°C during the day and below 10°C at night), and the soil is drying out again, should I really not water it? Do I really not have to do anything at all until next spring?
5 Answers
Another good tip is to keep adding organic material like compost or straw. It can help retain moisture in the soil, and if you do a layer of mulch, you might only need to water if it gets really dry.
I don’t follow the rule of doing nothing after planting either. Personally, I water mine once a week, especially in the fall so they can develop healthy roots before the cold hits. I’d recommend doing that until your soil freezes if you're in a region that gets cold!
If you’re in a drought condition like me, getting water to the roots is essential, so continue to check the moisture. I’d recommend deep watering intermittently to make up for the lack of rain—it’s crucial for good root development.
Honestly, it depends on your conditions. If your soil is drying out because of the heat, I’d say water it! Even if garlic is usually low-maintenance, a bit of moisture can help it establish roots. I’m in a similar spot and I’d definitely give mine a light watering if needed.
One last note: after the initial planting, try not to turn the soil again as it can actually disrupt the roots. Just keep it covered with a good layer of mulch or organic matter.