How to Plant Garlic in New York

Garlic grows well all over New York State. Most garlic that you find in stores in New York is soft-neck garlic. According to the farmers at Cayuga Garlic Farms, hard-neck varieties are more flavorful and grow better in New York's cool climate. The best time to plant garlic is in early fall--four to six weeks before the ground freezes. In New York, this is in early October, around Columbus Day.

Garden spade
Garden rake
Aged compost
10-10-10 fertilizer
Water

Instructions

- 1
  Turn and loosen the soil with a garden spade in your chosen planting area to a depth of 6 inches in late August. Spread a 2-inch layer of aged compost followed by 3 lbs. of 10-10-10 (nitrogen-potassium-phosphorus) fertilizer per 100 square feet of planting area with a garden rake. Turn the soil again, to a depth of 6 inches.
- 2
  Separate the garlic bulb into individual cloves (use only the largest cloves for planting). Dig a hole for each clove that is 3 inches deep. Plant one clove per hole, pointy end up. Space each hole 4 inches apart in a straight row. Space rows 1 foot apart.
- 3
  Water the planting bed with a gentle spray of water until the soil is moist to a depth of 6 inches. After the first watering, the bed will need 1 inch of water per week if the rain does not provide it. At no point should the soil become completely dry.

How Deep Do You Plant Garlic?

Garlic Planting Guide

Growing Garlic