Hey everyone! I just found some hardneck garlic that my husband bought with the intention of planting, but it got forgotten. Is it still possible to plant it now for a fall harvest in my Zone 9a garden?
3 Answers
Unfortunately, now isn't the best time to plant garlic. With the heat we're experiencing, it's not gonna thrive. Garlic typically needs cold stratification, and since summer temperatures can soar here, you might consider putting the bulbs in your fridge for a few weeks. This way, you can plant them when the weather cools down for a spring harvest.
You could go ahead and plant it now, but just so you know, you won't get full bulbs. You can harvest it as green garlic in a few weeks if you want some fresh shoots!
I feel your pain! The hardneck type needs those cold weeks to form bulbs. Ideally, it should have around 12 weeks at or below 45°F. If your area only has about 4 weeks of cooler temps, chill the garlic for around 8 weeks, and plant when it cools down. If spring arrives quickly, make sure to keep the soil cool with mulch or shade cloth. And remember, hardnecks really struggle in warm temps; softnecks might work better for you!
Thanks for the tips! I'll keep that in mind.