Grow Your Own Garlic This February: A Step-by-Step Guide for SoCal Gardeners
Southern California gardeners, rejoice! Early February is the perfect time to plant garlic in your backyard garden. Garlic is not only easy to grow but also an essential ingredient in countless dishes. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just getting started, planting garlic is simple, rewarding, and delicious.
Getting Started: Planting Your Garlic
One of the best things about growing garlic is that you can start with a head of garlic from your local grocery store. Here’s how:
Break It Apart – Separate the garlic head into individual cloves, keeping the papery skins intact.
Dig a Hole – Using your finger or a stick, poke a hole about 2 inches deep into the soil.
Plant the Clove – Place a garlic clove pointy side up into the hole and cover it with soil.
Water Lightly – Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Within a week or two, you should see bright green shoots emerging from the soil—an exciting sign that your garlic is growing strong!
Harvesting Garlic Greens: A Flavorful Garnish
Once your garlic greens have grown a few inches tall, you can start harvesting them as needed. These young greens taste like a cross between garlic and chives and make a fantastic garnish. Chop them up and sprinkle them on roasted potatoes, eggs, or stir-fries for a beautiful garnish and a hint of garlic.
Green Garlic: A Delicious Early Harvest
If you let your garlic grow until it resembles a small leek or green onion, you’ve reached my favorite stage—green garlic. At this stage, the garlic has a mild, fresh flavor with a tender white stem and flavorful greens.
To harvest green garlic, you can either:
Pull the whole plant up by the roots, chop it up, and use it fresh.
Trim the greens down toward the white part and let the plant continue growing.
How to Use Green Garlic:
Mix with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and salt for a garlic yogurt sauce—perfect for Mediterranean bowls or tacos.
Combine with minced ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil for a savory Asian dipping sauce.
Sauté with butter and toss with pasta for a simple but flavorful dish.
Letting Garlic Fully Mature
For those who want to grow full garlic bulbs, patience is key. Allow the plant to continue growing until the greens turn brown and fall over. This indicates that the garlic is ready to harvest.
Harvesting & Curing Mature Garlic:
Gently tug the garlic from the soil.
Hang it in a cool, dry place for 1-2 weeks to cure.
Once cured, store your garlic in a dark, cool place where it can last for months.
Tips for Growing the Best Garlic
Loose Soil is Key – Garlic bulbs need space to expand, so plant in loose, well-draining soil.
Enrich the Soil – Mix in fresh compost before planting to ensure healthy, large heads of garlic.
Consistent Watering – Water regularly to keep the soil moist.
Final Thoughts
Garlic is a staple in kitchens worldwide, making it a valuable addition to any backyard garden. Whether you're harvesting young greens, enjoying mild green garlic, or curing full bulbs for long-term storage, growing garlic is a rewarding experience. So grab a head of garlic, get planting, and enjoy fresh, homegrown flavor straight from your garden!
Have you planted garlic before? Share your experiences and favorite garlic recipes in the comments!
