Planting Garlic: New Brunswick's Prime Time

The best time to plant garlic in New Brunswick is in the fall, with the last two weeks of October being ideal. If you're planting Music Garlic, a type of Porcelain Garlic, the best time is mid-October, before the ground becomes too hard to work. In general, you want to plant garlic before the ground freezes, about 4-8 weeks before the first fall frost date. This gives the garlic cloves time to develop healthy roots before temperatures drop.

Planting in the fall

The best time to plant garlic in New Brunswick is in the fall, typically in the last two weeks of October, before the ground becomes too hard to work. However, if you miss this window, you can still plant garlic as late as mid-November or even early December, just before the snow sets in.

When planting, ensure your garlic bed is well-prepared, weed-free, and in an area with full sun. Garlic grows well in a range of soils but prefers well-drained soil with a neutral pH of 6.5 to 7. You can improve drainage by adding organic matter, such as compost, to the soil or by creating raised beds.

To plant, separate the cloves from the bulb, keeping the individual wrapper and scab end intact. Each clove will produce a bulb, so plant them with the pointed side up and the root side down, with an inch of soil covering the tops. Space the cloves about six inches apart, and plant them four to six inches deep.

After planting, add a layer of mulch, such as straw or leaves, to insulate the soil and protect the garlic from temperature fluctuations. A layer four to six inches deep should be enough to keep your garlic warm throughout the winter.

Your garlic will emerge through the mulch in the spring, usually by early May. At this point, you can pull away any remaining mulch, leaving just enough to suppress weeds. You can return the mulch when the plants are about six inches tall.

In late June or early July, your garlic will send up a flower stalk or scape. Removing this will allow the plant to put its energy into developing a larger bulb. However, leaving the scape intact will not significantly affect the size of the bulb, and you can enjoy it as a tasty treat.

Harvest time is typically from mid-July to late August. You'll know your garlic is ready when the top two-thirds of the foliage has turned yellow, and the bulbs have a papery skin.

Choosing the right garlic variety

• Hardiness Zones: New Brunswick is divided into four hardiness zones: 4a, 4b, 5a, and 5b. Zone 4a, including areas like Bathurst and Campbellton, has the coldest temperatures and a shorter growing season. Zone 4b, encompassing regions like Edmundston and Grand Falls, also has cold winters. Zone 5a, covering Fredericton and Miramichi, offers milder winters and a longer growing season. Zone 5b, including Moncton and Saint John, experiences the mildest winters in the province. Choose garlic varieties that align with your specific hardiness zone.
• Climate: New Brunswick's cool and humid climate is generally suitable for growing garlic. However, it is crucial to select garlic varieties that are well-adapted to the local climate. Hardneck garlic varieties, such as Rocambole or Porcelain, tend to perform better in colder regions like New Brunswick.
• Soil: Garlic thrives in well-drained soil with a pH level between 6 and 7.5. Before planting, improve the soil by adding organic matter such as compost or aged manure. Garlic also benefits from loose soil that allows for the development of a strong root system.
• Variety Characteristics: Garlic varieties differ in their growth habits, the number of cloves per bulb, flavour, and more. Hardneck garlic varieties, prevalent in New Brunswick, typically have four to twelve large, easy-to-peel cloves with a strong, rich flavour. They are more closely related to wild garlic and are favoured by gourmet chefs. On the other hand, softneck varieties do not produce a flower stalk and have a higher number of cloves per bulb. They are easier to grow, have a longer shelf life, and are commonly found in supermarkets.

Now, let's explore some specific garlic varieties that are well-suited to New Brunswick's climate and growing conditions:

• Music Garlic: This hardneck variety is known for its large, easy-to-peel cloves and strong, rich flavour. It is a reliable and productive choice for New Brunswick gardeners.
• German Extra Hardy: As the name suggests, this hardneck variety is well-suited for colder climates, making it ideal for New Brunswick. It has a bold, spicy flavour.
• Russian Red Garlic: This hardneck variety offers beautiful, deep purple-striped bulbs and a medium-strong flavour. It is an excellent option for the province's climate.
• Chesnok Red Garlic: If you prefer softneck garlic, Chesnok Red is a great choice. It produces large bulbs with a beautiful purple skin and a rich, full-bodied flavour.
• Georgian Fire Garlic: For those who crave a more intense garlic taste, this hardneck variety delivers with its heat and spicy flavour.

When sourcing your garlic bulbs for planting, it is important to obtain them from reputable seed suppliers or local farmers. This ensures that you are getting quality bulbs specifically adapted to your region.

Preparing the soil

It is best to get your soil amended with compost and fertilizer before planting. You can add organic matter by using summer cover crops, which get worked back into the soil weeks before the garlic is planted. If you don't have the space or time to plant a cover crop, you can always add compost to the planting area.

When planting garlic in the fall, avoid giving it a high nitrogen fertilizer. The goal is to get the roots established before the plant gets hit by cold temperatures in winter. Since garlic needs a good supply of phosphorus for root development, you can work in fertilizers with higher levels of phosphorus and potassium, such as seabird or bat guano.

Mulching is especially important if you live in a cold climate where the ground freezes. Cover with a thick layer of straw to protect the garlic throughout the winter; about 4-6 inches in very cold regions. In milder climates, a thinner layer is fine. In the summer, mulch will help conserve water, cut down on weed growth, and even out fluctuations in soil temperature.

Planting depth and spacing

The ideal planting depth for garlic is between 1 and 5 inches. The colder your climate, the deeper you should plant your garlic. In cold climates, plant your garlic 4 to 5 inches deep to protect it from freezing temperatures and winterkill. In milder climates, 1 to 3 inches should be sufficient.

The spacing between garlic cloves is also important. Planting garlic cloves too close together will result in smaller bulbs, while planting them too far apart will waste valuable garden space. The recommended spacing for garlic cloves is 4 to 6 inches apart, with 6 inches being ideal for larger bulbs. If you want to maximise your yield, you can plant your garlic closer together, but this will result in smaller bulbs and cloves.

When planting garlic, it is also important to consider the type of garlic you are planting. Softneck garlic varieties, which are more common in warmer climates, can be planted closer together (4 to 5 inches apart) than hardneck varieties, which need more space (6 to 8 inches apart).

In addition to spacing between cloves, it is also important to leave enough space between rows. Rows should be spaced 6 to 12 inches apart, depending on the variety of garlic being planted.

To ensure proper growth, it is also important to mulch your garlic bed with straw, leaves, or another insulating material. This will help protect your garlic from freezing temperatures and ensure a successful harvest.

Mulching

The best time to mulch garlic is after planting, when the soil has settled. It is important to ensure that the mulch is not piled too high, to prevent fungal diseases. The recommended thickness of the mulch layer is 2-4 inches.

Organic mulches, such as straw, leaves, grass clippings, wood chips, and bark mulch, are ideal for garlic. These materials decompose over time, providing nutrients to the soil. Straw, in particular, is a good choice as it has good insulating capacity, does not usually contain weed seeds, and adds organic matter to the soil as it breaks down. A layer of straw mulch, 4-6 inches deep, is ideal for insulating the soil and protecting garlic from temperature fluctuations.

Inorganic mulches, such as plastic film, landscape fabric, and rubber mats, can also be used. These materials help to retain moisture, stop weeds, and regulate temperature. However, they should not be placed directly on the soil as they can trap too much moisture and cause root rot. A layer of organic material, such as straw or leaves, should be placed on the soil first before applying inorganic mulch.

When mulching, it is important to distribute the mulch evenly and uniformly across the soil. Start with a thin layer of mulch and gradually add more until you reach the desired thickness. Ensure that all areas, including between plants and near the edges of the bed, are covered.

Frequently asked questions