Is It Safe to Grow Garlic from Grocery Store Bulbs?

The main concern is white rot, which is a tough fungal disease to get rid of once it's in your soil. Using grocery store garlic could introduce this disease, but the risk is fairly low. On the other hand, there's a high price to pay if you do end up with a bad case. I personally recommend spending a bit more on certified seed garlic since it should be free of such diseases. Once you use that, you can save your best cloves each season for next year!

I started with grocery store garlic and kept replanting them every year, despite not knowing the risks initially. It worked fine for me, but I did also cut the tops off before curing them. Just keep your soil and plants healthy, and you should be good to go!

Try checking out local farmers' markets for garlic that's grown in your area! I did this last year and had fantastic results. It's often cheaper and, plus, you're supporting local farmers!

I got a good deal on garlic bulbs online. I ended up with a mix of hardneck and softneck, which will keep coming back each year!

I've found that local garlic is usually the safest bet. If it grows well in your area, it's likely to perform just as good in your garden. When planting, make sure you select the biggest cloves—big equals big garlic! I've had pretty smooth sailing, except when I had to deal with a few pests this year. But overall, garlic growing can be fun!

Honestly, just order some garlic from a reputable online source or gardening store. I've tried growing garlic from the grocery store, and it's never worth the time and effort for the quality you get. I got amazing bulbs from certified sources, and I'm replanting some of those this year.

Sure, you can technically grow any garlic, but I found that the best results come from using seed garlic or garlic I've saved from previous crops. Just ensure you're fertilizing, weeding, and watering properly to get the best harvest. The size of the bulbs can be a surprise though!

I completely recommend sticking to local or certified garlic. The best part is the taste; you get so much flavor from properly grown garlic. Plus, if you buy based on what your local climate can handle, you significantly increase your chances of a good harvest! Just don't overcrowd your plants and make sure to fertilize well during dry spells!

If you're in Florida, just keep in mind it might not get cold enough to stratify garlic properly. I'd recommend planting them around Thanksgiving for the best results!

Just a heads up, there are two types of garlic: hardneck and softneck. Hardneck types do best in colder climates and should be planted in the fall. Softnecks are ideal for warmer areas and you can plant those in spring. Supermarket garlic won't specify what type it is, so hitting up a farmers' market could get you the right variety for your climate. When planting, consider adding bone meal and garden lime for bigger bulbs!

It's true that grocery store garlic often comes from California or China. Depending on where you are, it might not even grow well in your climate, and you could face issues like pests or viruses. Even if you think you're careful, you could accidentally spread these problems to local ecosystems. I say invest in some quality seed garlic; it's worth it in the end for a successful harvest!

You've persuaded me! I just ordered some seed garlic myself! Forget the grocery stuff, it's all about quality for me.

You can definitely soak your garlic in hydrogen peroxide to help with any pathogens before planting. I read about this technique online and it seems to work for some growers!