How do you plant garlic bulbs?

To plant garlic bulbs, fertilize the soil, plant the bulbs, cover them with soil and mulch, remove the mulch, and water the plants when dry. Plant garlic bulbs in a sunny spot in slightly dry, loose soil. Plant the bulbs in early autumn, and allow eight months for them to mature.

1. Prepare the soil

   Raised beds are ideal for planting garlic. If raised beds are not available, plant the garlic bulbs in an area with well-drained soil and direct sunlight. Incorporate fertilizer into the soil prior to planting. Provide the plants with fertilizer at the beginning of spring once the bulbs begin to sprout.

2. Plant the bulbs

   Plant garlic bulbs four weeks before the first frost date. Leave the papery outer layer on each bulb, and plant the bulbs 2 inches deep with the root-ends pointing down. Plant the bulbs 4 to 6 inches apart, and allow 18 inches between rows.

3. Add mulch, and water the garlic

   Cover each garlic bulb with soil and a thick layer of mulch after planting. After the last frost of the season, remove most of the mulch, leaving only a thin layer to reduce weed growth. Water the plants when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. Harvest the garlic in late summer, after the green foliage has died.