How to Grow Garlic: Best of Growing Joy Replay

Author: Maria Failla- Happy Plant Lady and Author of Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness
Published: Thu 04 Sep 2025
Episode Link: http://www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Garlic is a staple in so many savory dishes, but if you've only ever cooked with the sad grocery store bulbs, it's time to see garlic's true potential by growing your own. The depth of flavor and variety that homegrown garlic offers blows store-bought out of the water. Lucky for us, plant friends, growing our own garlic at home is so easy! In this episode, homesteader extraordinaire Jill Winger walks us through how to grow garlic step-by-step, select varieties, grow, harvest, and store your own garlic for a steady supply of flavorful garlic all year long.

In this episode, we learn:

[03:09] Garden Society shoutout
[05:17] What led Jill to embrace homesteading?
[07:01] Check out Jill’s blog and podcast!
[09:29] How Jill's garden has evolved over the years
[11:23] Jill’s early years of homesteading and its long-term evolution
[13:18] Why homesteading involves continuous trial and error
[13:54] How long has Jill been growing garlic?
[14:59] Homegrown vs. store-bought garlic
[15:57] How to select the right garlic to grow
[16:08] Choosing a reputable garlic seed source
[17:24] Softneck vs. hardneck garlic
[24:05] What else is needed to grow garlic besides cloves?
[25:37] When is the best time to plant garlic?
[26:41] Why garlic is low maintenance
[27:28] What steps should be taken to prepare garlic for planting?
[28:32] How deep should you plant the clove under the soil?
[29:21] Why garlic doesn't rot or freeze despite delayed stalk growth in winter
[30:32] What’s the next step after planting garlic?
[32:39] How does the harvest timing affect the taste and texture of garlic scapes and bulbs?
[33:52] How do you know the garlic is ready to harvest?
[35:03] How do you “cure” fresh garlic?
[37:01] Tips for storing garlic for a long time
[38:35] Common garlic growing issues and how to address them
[39:36] Jill’s favorite garlic recipes
[41:35] How did Jill’s homestead slowly evolve?
[43:48] How reconnecting with nature and sustainable living creates a natural ecosystem