Here are six tried-and-true tips to help you grow giant garlic bulbs that will impress both in flavor and size.
1. Choose the Right Garlic Variety
Not all garlic is created equal. To grow large bulbs, start by selecting the right variety. Hardneck garlic varieties, such as Music, German Extra Hardy, or Rocambole, tend to produce larger cloves and bulbs. These types are also well-suited to cooler climates and offer bold flavor.
Softneck varieties (like Silverskin or Artichoke garlic) are better suited to warmer regions, but they usually form more cloves per bulb, which can result in smaller overall size. If your goal is size, go with a hardneck type adapted to your local climate.
2. Use Only the Largest Cloves for Planting
Size begets size when it comes to garlic. Don’t plant small cloves from your harvest or from store-bought garlic. Instead, select only the biggest, healthiest cloves from high-quality bulbs for planting. Each clove becomes a new bulb, so starting with large cloves gives the plant more stored energy to grow a robust root system and large bulb.
Avoid planting damaged, soft, or moldy cloves, as they can lead to poor growth or disease issues.
3. Plant at the Right Time
Timing is everything with garlic. It’s best to plant garlic in the fall, a few weeks before the ground freezes—typically between mid-September and late October, depending on your climate. This timing allows the garlic to establish strong roots before winter dormancy without sprouting too much above ground.
The fall planting allows for earlier spring growth, which results in larger, healthier bulbs by summer harvest. Spring planting is possible in some areas but generally leads to smaller bulbs.
4. Feed Your Garlic Well
To grow garlic the size of an apple, you need to enrich the soil with organic matter and provide adequate nutrition throughout the growing season.
Start by adding compost or well-rotted manure to the soil before planting. Garlic loves fertile, loose, and well-draining soil with a neutral pH.
During the growing season, especially in early spring, apply a high-nitrogen organic fertilizer like blood meal, fish emulsion, or composted poultry manure. Feed your garlic every 3 to 4 weeks until the bulb begins to form (usually around late spring).
5. Water and Mulch Correctly
Garlic needs consistent moisture, especially during the early stages of growth and during bulb formation. Water deeply when the soil begins to dry out, but avoid waterlogging, as garlic is prone to rot in soggy soil.
Mulching after planting helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and insulate the cloves through the winter. Use straw, dried leaves, or untreated grass clippings for an effective mulch layer.
In late spring, when the weather warms and bulbs begin forming, gradually reduce watering. Cutting back on moisture in the final weeks before harvest helps bulbs dry out and store better.
6. Remove Scapes to Focus Energy on the Bulb
If you’re growing hardneck garlic, your plants will send up flower stalks called scapes in early summer. While these are edible and delicious, leaving them on the plant diverts energy away from bulb development.
As soon as the scapes start curling, remove them with sharp garden scissors or a knife. This encourages the plant to redirect its energy downward into growing a larger bulb.
Bonus Tip: Use the harvested garlic scapes in pesto, stir-fries, or as a flavorful addition to salads and soups.
Harvesting and Curing for Long-Lasting Garlic
Your garlic is ready to harvest when the lower leaves turn yellow and dry, typically in midsummer. Don’t wait until all the leaves die back, or you risk overripe bulbs that split in the ground.
Gently loosen the soil and lift the bulbs without pulling on the stems. Let them cure in a well-ventilated, shaded space for 2–3 weeks to improve shelf life. Once fully dry, trim off the roots and stalks, and store your garlic in a cool, dry place.
Final Thoughts
Growing garlic the size of an apple isn’t just a dream—it’s entirely possible with proper care and technique. From choosing the right variety and planting at the right time to feeding and watering properly, each of these six tips plays a crucial role in producing a harvest of giant, flavorful garlic bulbs. Follow these steps, and you’ll be enjoying your own homegrown, oversized garlic in no time.
