How to Grow Garlic in Michigan: A Backyard Gardener’s Guide

If you’re wondering how to grow garlic in Michigan, you’re in the right place. As a backyard gardener who’s battled clay soil, late frosts, and unpredictable spring rains, I can tell you that garlic is one of the most rewarding crops you can grow here. Despite our cold winters and relatively short growing season, Michigan’s climate is surprisingly garlic-friendly—if you know what you’re doing.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know: from choosing the right garlic variety to planting, caring, harvesting, and storing your homegrown garlic. By the end, you’ll be confident in your ability to grow garlic in your own backyard—no matter where in Michigan you live.

Why Michigan Is Perfect for Growing Garlic

It might not seem obvious at first, but Michigan offers ideal conditions for growing garlic. Our cold winters help garlic bulbs undergo vernalization, a critical chilling period that ensures proper bulb formation. That’s why anyone interested in how to grow garlic in Michigan should take full advantage of fall planting.

Hardneck garlic, which thrives in colder climates, does especially well here. Our loamy or sandy soils (if well-drained) and full-sun growing conditions offer garlic everything it needs to thrive. Plus, because garlic is planted in fall and harvested in early summer, it fits beautifully into a backyard gardener’s seasonal routine without taking up summer space for tomatoes, peppers, or beans.

Choosing the Best Garlic Varieties for Michigan

A crucial step in learning how to grow garlic in Michigan is picking the right type of garlic for our region. There are two main types: hardneck and softneck. For Michigan, hardneck garlic is by far the better choice.

Hardneck varieties like Music, Chesnok Red, and German Extra Hardy are well-suited to our winters. They’re known for their strong flavor and large cloves, and they produce scapes—those curly green stalks that are not only edible but a bonus harvest.

Softneck garlic varieties are less cold-tolerant, although gardeners in southern Michigan may have success with them. Still, if you’re just getting started and want to maximize your chances of a good harvest, go with a hardneck variety and buy seed garlic from a reputable source—either online or from a local farm.

Avoid grocery store garlic, as it’s often treated with growth inhibitors and may carry soil-borne diseases.

When and How to Plant Garlic in Michigan

Understanding the correct planting time is key to mastering how to grow garlic in Michigan. Garlic is planted in the fall, usually between late September and early November, depending on your location. The goal is to plant it 4–6 weeks before the ground freezes. That way, the garlic has time to establish roots but doesn’t sprout too much before winter.

Here’s my planting method:

1. Break apart the bulbs into individual cloves, leaving the papery skin intact.
2. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil and add compost or aged manure to enrich the bed.
3. Plant cloves 2 inches deep with the pointy end up and space them 4–6 inches apart.
4. After planting, water well and apply 4–6 inches of mulch (straw or shredded leaves work great) to insulate them during the cold season.

This low-maintenance planting method sets the stage for a healthy garlic crop come spring.

Preparing Soil for Garlic Success

Good soil is essential if you want to master how to grow garlic in Michigan. Garlic loves well-drained, fertile, and slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. In Michigan, many backyard soils are clay-heavy, so amending with compost, sand, and organic matter is important.

Here’s my backyard soil prep routine:

• In late summer, I till in aged compost and a balanced organic fertilizer like 10-10-10 or one specifically for root vegetables.
• If needed, I adjust the pH with agricultural lime or sulfur depending on soil test results.
• To improve drainage, I often plant in raised beds or mounded rows, which keep water from pooling around the cloves during wet springs.

Garlic doesn’t compete well with weeds, so clear the bed thoroughly before planting. Healthy soil means strong roots and big, flavorful bulbs come harvest time.

Caring for Garlic Through Michigan’s Seasons

Caring for garlic across the seasons is central to understanding how to grow garlic in Michigan. Once the cloves are planted and mulched in fall, the heavy lifting is done until spring. During winter, the mulch keeps the soil insulated and helps prevent frost heave.

Come early spring, garlic shoots will emerge through the mulch. At this point:

• I gently pull mulch back to allow the sun to warm the soil.
• I feed the garlic with a light dose of nitrogen-rich fertilizer, like blood meal or fish emulsion.
• Regular watering is essential from May through June—about 1 inch of water per week, depending on rainfall.

By early summer, you’ll see scapes on hardneck garlic. These curly flower stalks should be cut off once they start curling to redirect energy back to the bulb. You can sauté, grill, or puree them into garlic pesto—delicious!

Weeding is key throughout spring and summer. Garlic doesn’t compete well with weeds, so I hand-weed regularly to keep the bed clean.

Harvesting and Curing Garlic in Michigan

Knowing when and how to harvest is a key part of learning how to grow garlic in Michigan. Garlic is typically ready to harvest in late June through mid-July, depending on your planting time and location.

Look for these signs:

• The bottom leaves begin to brown and dry, while the top leaves are still green.
• Usually, when 3–5 green leaves remain, it’s harvest time.

Use a garden fork or spade to gently lift the bulbs. Don’t pull by the stalks—they’ll snap. Shake off loose soil (but don’t wash), and bundle the plants in groups of 5–10.

To cure:

1. Hang garlic in a cool, dry, and shady place with good air circulation—like a shed or garage.
2. Allow them to cure for 2–3 weeks until the outer skins are papery.
3. Once cured, trim the tops and roots and store in a cool, dark place (60–65°F).

Properly cured garlic can last 6–8 months—longer for softneck varieties.

Troubleshooting Common Garlic Problems in Michigan

Even with good practices, you may run into some issues. A full understanding of how to grow garlic in Michigan includes troubleshooting tips for common problems:

• Wet spring soil can cause rot. Raised beds and good drainage help.
• Onion maggots and thrips can damage plants. Floating row covers and crop rotation minimize these pests.
• White rot and other fungal diseases thrive in poor-draining soil or from planting infected bulbs. Rotate garlic crops every 3–4 years and only plant healthy seed garlic.

Also, bolting too early (sending up a scape before the bulb is mature) can happen with sudden spring heat. Scape removal usually redirects energy back to the bulb, but garlic planted too early or shallow can be more prone to bolting.

Storing and Using Your Michigan-Grown Garlic

After curing, your garlic is ready for long-term storage or immediate use. One of the best parts of learning how to grow garlic in Michigan is having your own supply for cooking all year round.

I store mine in mesh bags or crates in a dry pantry. Avoid plastic or refrigeration—these cause mold or sprouting. For variety, you can also:

• Ferment whole cloves in honey (for both flavor and immune support).
• Freeze minced garlic in oil using ice cube trays.
• Dehydrate slices and grind into powder.

There’s no comparison between homegrown garlic and store-bought. Once you grow your own, you’ll never go back.

Frequently Asked Questions

What month do you plant garlic in Michigan?
In Michigan, garlic is best planted in October, ideally 4–6 weeks before the ground freezes. This allows the cloves to establish roots before winter dormancy, ensuring strong growth in spring. Late September to early November is also acceptable depending on your local climate conditions.

What is the easiest way to grow garlic?
The easiest way to grow garlic is by planting individual cloves in the fall, about 2 inches deep in well-drained, compost-enriched soil. Space them 4–6 inches apart, mulch with straw, and water well. Little maintenance is needed until harvesting in early summer.

What is the best fertilizer for garlic?
Garlic thrives on balanced, slow-release fertilizers rich in phosphorus and potassium, like bone meal or 10-10-10 organic blends. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes leaf growth over bulb development. Supplement with compost and side-dress with fish emulsion or blood meal in spring.

What should you not plant garlic next to?
Avoid planting garlic near beans, peas, asparagus, and sage, as it can inhibit their growth. Garlic produces natural compounds that may interfere with the development of these plants. Instead, grow it near tomatoes, carrots, or cabbage for pest-repelling companion benefits.

What month is best to sow garlic?
The best month to sow garlic is October, especially in regions with cold winters like Michigan. Planting in this month ensures proper root development before winter and results in larger, healthier bulbs by harvest time in late June or early July.

Final Thoughts: A Rewarding Garden Crop for Michiganders

Learning how to grow garlic in Michigan is a worthwhile investment for any home gardener. With the right variety, proper soil preparation, fall planting, and a bit of patience, you can enjoy rich, aromatic garlic that lasts through winter and elevates every meal.

Whether you’re a new gardener or a seasoned grower looking to expand your crop, garlic is a great addition to any Michigan garden. Trust me—planting just one bed will turn into a yearly tradition.

You Can Also Read:

How Long Do Butternut Squash Take to Grow? A Gardener’s Guide to a Bountiful Harvest

Does Garlic Need to Be Organic When Used for Planting?

Is Sawdust Good for Gardens? A Gardener’s Perspective

How to Eliminate Garlic Odor in the House: A Gardener’s Guide

When to Plant Garlic in Michigan: A Gardener’s Guide for a Bountiful Harvest

References

1. Michigan State University Extension. “Garlic in the Garden”
2. University of Minnesota Extension. “Growing garlic in home gardens”
3. Cornell Vegetable Program. “Garlic Production in the Northeast”
4. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE). “Garlic Production Guide”