Garlic Plant Nutrients

Soil Enrichment

• The growing soil for garlic should be prepared before planting. Dig in 1 to 2 lbs. of 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet of planting area. The 10-10-10 figures indicate a blend of equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Feeding Schedule

• Another application of 10-10-10 fertilizer should be made about one month after planting the garlic at a rate of about 1 lb. for every 100 feet of garden row. Create a narrow band of fertilizer along the row 3 to 4 inches from the base of the plants.

Considerations

• Applying nitrogen-rich fertilizers beyond early May could affect the rate at which the garlic bulbs form and should be avoided. Garlic needs lots of water, and the area it is grown in should be kept meticulously free of weeds that will compete for nutrients. Mulch helps keep weeds under control and provides additional nutrients as it decays.