How to Plant Garlic in Florida

Clear a well-drained area in full sun of all vegetation that will compete with the garlic plants using a hoe and shovel. Well-drained soil does not become waterlogged after a rain and water does not stand, or pool. Garlic cloves will rot if left sitting in standing water. Garlic will not begin to sprout for several weeks after it is planted, so fast-growing weeds can quickly overwhelm the garlic planting area.

Test the soil to make sure it is the proper pH for garlic production which is 6.0 to 7.0 and the soil nutrient levels are correct. For assistance with a soil test, contact your local county extension office in Florida or a soil testing lab.

Incorporate the soil amendments recommended by the soil test into the top 6 inches of soil. If the soil is sandy, such as on the coast of Florida, or thick clay you find further inland, spread a 1 to 2 inch of compost over the soil and work into the top 4 inches of soil to help amend the soil. Compost helps sandy soil hold moisture and helps provide drainage in thick clays. Rake the area smooth.

Break apart the garlic bulbs into individual cloves. Plant garlic cloves 2 inches deep counting from the bottom of the clove. The broad end of the clove goes down.

Cover the planting area with a 2-inch layer of mulch to protect the soil and keep the garlic cool during the winter months and spring. If the soil is heavy clay that holds water, add only a thin layer of mulch to cover the soil. Add more mulch where the soil is sandy and does not hold water.

Water the garlic if the winter is unusually dry. Otherwise, the garlic should not require supplemental moisture during Florida's growing season. Do not water the garlic until green shoots appear and it is actively growing. Withhold water during the summer when the bottom leaves begin to turn yellow, which means the bulbs are getting ready to harvest.

Harvest the garlic the following summer when the bottom leaves turn yellow and the tops fall over. Dig the bulbs from the ground and allow them to dry in a shady well-ventilated area. Do not wash the bulbs. When the skins are dry, dust off the soil and trim off the roots and tops before storing.