How to Grow Garlic in Containers

[@jaytoney3007]

I'm in Alabama, zone 7B. This year frost came three weeks early, followed by 70 degree temperatures. The general rule of thumb for my area for planting garlic, is four weeks after first frost. I'll be planting my garlic in grow bags using left over garlic from my kitchen, store bought, and most likely soft neck. I'm on the cusp for either soft neck, or hard neck, so either is okay. All of my neighbors lost their warm weather crops. I didn't. I have Roma and Dad's Sunset tomato plants with fruit on the vines, and flowering. My Lemon Squash made it okay, and is flowering and producing a lot of fruit, and all of my pepper plants made it through the frost without damage, but they are getting nibbled on by deer. Even my eggplants survived. I harvested my largest Black Beauty Eggplant of the season today, and a handful of Cubanelle, Etiuda, and Banana peppers.

[@got2kittys]

A little early for garlic, no big deal. The garlic doesn't mind.

[@Mary-uz2tz]

In Interior Alaska, I planted hardneck Spanish Rojo last fall for the first time. I was delighted with the outcome, so was able to replant 72 very large cloves a few weeks ago. Now they are deeply mulched with wood chips and topped off with a good layer of straw ready for a blanket of white. Now, I will try garlic in containers as I do use 5 gallon buckets for other veggies. Thanks for the information.

[@brianseybert2189]

I literally planted 3,15 gallon grow bags this morning with garlic. I was planning on planting the garlic in a reconfigured raised bed, but other things got in the way of that project. I knew I had to get the garlic I recovered from my neighbor who passed away last fall into something soon, so I went with grow bags. Having never planted garlic before, did not even know if it would work. Timely video, for a bit of peace of mind. Thanks Gardener Scott.

[@Sonia-hw3yx]

Filling the bottom half of the container with cheap stuff before you add the good stuff makes sense. Thanks for a great tip Scott 👍 😊

[@KristiContemplates]

A small cover of chicken mesh to keep the mulch from blowing away. Also stops kitties from digging up the container contents

[@hmmm..2733]

This has inspired me to plant MORE garlic. I don’t know why I didn’t think of my Greenstalk! It is ready for planting. I would like to grow enough garlic for us to have a year’s worth. The store bought soft neck worked great last year, so I saved some of those bulbs. Those are all planted, so I’ll be using more store bought. Thank you for planting the Greenstalk idea in my head!

[@heidiclark6612]

What a timely video! It's just about garlic planting time here and I was debating whether I wanted to plant my garlic in the bed that I used last year and tie it up till July. I really never thought about containers. I have lots of them. Thank You Gardener Scott!

[@SherryEllesson]

Thanks for this video. I started garlic in containers on my front steps in late summer and it looked as though they might do something until my dog took me for a leap off the side of the steps to get to where rainwater was sluicing off the roof. We took two of the planters with us and what's left is a big mess. I need to get out and put things back together once physical therapy for an injured ankle is done.

[@kmiller6002]

Bless your heart... Hopefully you can heal quickly 🙏 Kendra

[@SherryEllesson]

@@kmiller6002 Thank you! I have a good physical therapist who's doing his best.

[@LisadeKramer]

I have found that garlic is really easy to grow. I am in SW Colorado, I believe zone 6b. This year I planted a locally grown garlic that a truck gardener loves. I love fresh garlic.

[@7eyesopenwide168]

Cool! I just today got my garlic bulbs to plant.

[@elainepanthera5444]

Florida here. I tried growing garlic in a cloth tote last year. The bag rotted out before the bulbs sprouted. Grow bags, huh? I'll have to get some before my next "gardening adventures". 🙃 Great video, thank you.

[@arnoldreiter435]

had three nights of freeze here a few weeks ago so i planted my garlic. filled one raised bed with 4 types and then gave my extra cloves to a fellow gardener. Didnt think about containers so making a note for that next fall.......

[@KPaul7]

Thank you Scott, I only had a small space to plant my garlic in the ground. I think I will try some in containers. It was nice to see how much mulch you used. 😀

[@AntoniaIgnacio-id3wu]

❤😮😅 ok thank you for your weather reports on your STATE because I'm new here in the state and I'm trying to start my own garden ❤

[@johannakuhlin4787]

i really like that you translate into the metric system!!

[@ruhampton8455]

This is great! I live in an apartment with a sunny balcony and I've been wondering if I could grow garlic in buckets. Hello from Ontario! Thanks also for adding the metric units as well :)

[@arnoldmmbb]

Just today I watched your garlic videos and planted some nice cloves!! Thanks Scott!!

[@jamesburwash5635]

Good timing I had about 16 cloves left and will give the containers a try, cheers Vancouver Island Canada .

[@ninemoonplanet]

On the other side of Vancouver and drainage is vital. I lost some garlic to rot last year. This year, twigs and Coco coir are in the pots and hopefully no rotten cloves. (They stink). 😂

[@lindasteckman7147]

Thanks for this timely video... I got out and planted my garlic after watching but decided to add a piece of chicken wire over my mulch, due to our extreme winds, here in north central Kansas.

[@bugoutadventures]

Thank you 😊 I love garlic 😋 it has so many properties for health!

[@deborahcaldwell9775]

Interesting I will..! I got two family members to help me plant a lot lot lot lot lot of garlic two weeks ago here in Maine and I have a little bit left. I gave half to my daughter. We’re psyched. But having a little bit go into containers is going to be great. Lots of people around here are charging five dollars for each and every big clove. We love our garlic but we can’t afford that and what if it’s more than that in the spring? We’ll just wait for harvest thank you

[@Mrs.R.]

You’re an excellent teacher. Thank you!

[@joycedagostino6074]

Great tip to use containers, I’m going to try it out! I have to mulch the garlic and often put a screen on the beds to keep the squirrels from digging in the beds.

[@renebrown995]

Thanks Scott, 😊 now Sunday at Market I can pick up some garlic bulbs to grow. Still sweating 😅 down here in 9/10 zone Florida. Praying my Kale doesn't bolt, my little cucs still holding on and some bok choy just now starting to grow 🙏

[@deecooper1567]

GM from Winnemucca Nv☕️☕️. Put my beds to rest a couple weeks ago. Our temps at night have been in the 20s & heading for the teens🥶. I planted one full 4x8 raised bed in garlic from this years bulbs, covered with some compost, leaves & aged Woodchips to hold everything down. 💨💨 Did some rearranging so next year I’ll try some containers 👍 Always glad to learn from you! Have a good weekend 👵🏻👩‍🌾❣️

[@librarianjan]

Good info. I need to plant my garlic in containers because of voles devouring them from my beds.

[@LeverActionLarry]

I haven't watched yet but I am super excited by the title!! I didn't have time to set up my garlic bed so I'm actually planning on growing garlic in containers in the next week!!! Thanks GS!!

[@rg-mi5hh]

We just planted garlic today for picking next July. Have done this about three years. Fun to do

[@leslienichols5268]

Thanks Gardener Scott

[@cindynielson4231]

Great timing we were just planning when and where to plant garlic. Expecting our first frost any day now. TFS 👍🧄

[@sylviaprudhomme5417]

Always learn so much❤❤❤❤❤

[@francesbatycki404]

Just planted a few different kinds of hardneck garlic, about 120 bulbs, from porcelain to Mexican purple. Can hardly wait for the scapes. The scapes are almost my favourite crop! Thanks for all you great advice. Nakusp, British Columbia. Not sure I planted my cloves deep enough, but I did cover with a decent layer of mulch. Fingers crossed.

[@MsTeck883]

Great video, I like how you explain so much.

[@nancyfahey7518]

I can smell the garlic from Florida.

[@stephenmoberg8807]

Excellent- I usually put some 555 at the midpoint of the container- so the roots get some nutrients - ty for all you do !!

[@brightantwerp]

Thank you! I will grow garlic for the first time now. 💜

[@Ed19601]

If you bought garlic for planting, might as well plant the small cloves too, using them in the kitchen seems to be an expensive garlic to use. Plant them in a pot anyway.

[@simplifygardening]

Great video mate. Ive been waiting for a dry day to plant mine its hammered down for 3 straight weeks here

[@kendallg9533]

When I saw the thumbnail, I got the image of a "pot" plant with a garlic bulb at the roots and I thought that was pretty funny lol.

[@dwaynewladyka577]

I really love garlic, and that's a great tutorial on how to grow it. Cheers, Scott! ✌️

[@amymorales4622]

I just planted my garlic in a big 30 gallon grow bag. This is my first time growing garlic in a container, so I am curious about how it will do.

[@Gkrissy]

Great video. I love growing garlic in containers. I have a few more soft necks to get in my pots. I love the idea of growing garlic in the green stalk!

[@tennesseenana4838]

I tried something new about planting garlic that I learned this past year. It's super good for deterring unwanted pests in the garden as a companion plant! So, in addition to a couple of garlic areas, I also planted a few bulbs of garlic in with my roses, my kale, etc. In my garlic 18-gallon totes I first laid a layer of twigs from my trees to help with drainage, then torn paper, leaves, kitchen scraps and cardboard. More leaves and then a generous layer of good soil for planting the garlic. I had a nice harvest this past year and hopefully will have a better one doing it this way this year.

[@deborahcaldwell9775]

That sounded like the base that we use for raising worms. Perfect.

[@sixfigurebookkeeper7588]

Really great info, thank you gardener Scott!

[@Barrell60]

Thank You

[@sharonholmes4444]

💚 Perfect timing 💚 I'm in Arizona (50 mi South of Flagstaff) and our first hard frost won't be till about Thanksgiving. Q...so these garlic cloves don't need 8 weeks of refrigeration prior to planting? Correct? I read this somewhere and had never heard of this beforehand. Tia...Gardener Scott

[@amymorales4622]

I can’t speak for Scott, but I live in the Prescott area, and I get enough winter chilling so that garlic grows well if planted in late October. If you live in the Verde Valley, you probably will need to refrigerate your garlic. Our terrain varies so much in this region that it’s hard to make a blanket statement.

[@sharonholmes4444]

@@amymorales4622 Yes, I'm in the Verde Valley. 3200' elevation. So, I should refrigerate until when? So maybe I should plant in late November or after 1st killer frost? I'm familiar with the Prescott valley area and it's colder w/Snow. What do you think 🤔 I'm clueless.

[@amymorales4622]

@@sharonholmes4444 I used to live in the Mesilla Valley of Southern New Mexico, which has similar growing conditions to the Verde Valley. I generally planted my garlic in the ground in late November or in December. Since the ground didn't freeze, and you only need about 8 weeks of chilling, it worked out pretty well. I could harvest in June. In short, if your garlic is presently in the fridge, you might want to keep it there until after a hard frost. I hope that this helps.

[@sharonholmes4444]

@@amymorales4622 Thank you so much! I just checked and seems like my garlic is kinda dried up (I don't use much in the hot summertime) in fridge so I'll need to get some more real soon and stick it right into the fridge and plant it after our 1st real freeze. Thanks again.

[@amymorales4622]

@@sharonholmes4444 You are very welcome.

[@azeemali7102]

nice t-shirt!

[@richbattaglia5350]

This is brilliant. I got German hardy varieties and the same cloth bag. Thank you for your advice, we will see a few months from now if the same results will happen.

[@lukealexander4512]

Great video. Aside from living in Central Florida, I am not starting garlic this season. However I am willing to try garlic in the future. Instead, I am experimenting with scallions and Egyptian Walking Onions. Would a video on top-setting and multiplier onions be a possible future topic? As far as I know, garlic is also a top-setting allium.

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks. Growing walking onions and discussing bulblets on top setting onions are on my list of future videos. I'm not sure when, but you may see them next year.

[@lukealexander4512]

Looking forward to it! There are a few walking onion varieties. While I am growing regular Egyptian, Catawissa is a unique variety from Catawissa, PA that makes larger bulbs.

[@dianeday1214]

We live in an apartment on the ground unit with a patio facing south so I get sun all day.When the snow comes should I get a cardboard box and put it on it's side put the 5 gallon pail inside so it's protected from cold wind and snow. From Leamington Ontario Canada 🇨🇦 Thank you

[@GardenerScott]

That's not a bad idea. Wrapping the bucket in bubble wrap can also help insulate it.

[@judymiller323]

Great video, Scott, thank you.

[@carriecreates1207]

I learned a lot!! Thank you!! I have garlic that has sprouted in my refridgerator. I live in zone 9, Houston. Can I plant this garlic in containers? Did I miss the planting period? Thank you!!

[@GardenerScott]

You should still have time to plant. The refrigerator was good to help develop bulbs and your winter isn't so harsh that the plants will be damaged by cold.

[@growintogether627]

As a beginner gardener garlic is a crop I haven’t grown yet.. but on my list as I use so much of it and all the talk of how fun it is to grow.. thanks Gardener Scott!!! :)

[@kimszalay2626]

I'm in zone 9B. When is the latest I can plant softneck garlic?

[@GardenerScott]

You can probably plant any time through spring. Check with local nurseries or expert gardeners to see what they do.

[@Blackavian]

I live in Colorado in the same growing zone. I would love to leave my mint-family, container-grown herbs and garlic outside in the winter but I’ve always been concerned that would kill my herbs. As long as I mulch the top of the soil in the container, is it possible to leave the 5-gallon tubs outside following your instructions? Thank you. I appreciate the time answering this will take.

[@GardenerScott]

Possibly, but it depends on the herb and its hardiness. I've found that the containers do better if they get some protection in a shed or garage in winter.

[@Blackavian]

@@GardenerScott thank you for answering. Sounds like I should just bring them into the sunroom again this year.

[@michaelmcdowell6792]

SCOTT: Would you be able to plant Garlic in any season if temperature never go below 40 degrees F? What are the variables I need to consider in zone 9b South Central FL? Thanks for all the great tips.

[@GardenerScott]

You can but you need to look for specific varieties intended for warm regions like Creole and Asiatic. You can also store the bulb in your refrigerator for 6-10 weeks to get the cold temps.

[@nataliewilliams9741]

If only I had full sun 🌞

[@hyesunstuart1320]

Thank you for the video! I live in Maryland, probably zone7. Can I plan garlic in late October early early November in my outside garden bed? (even the sun light is not as long like summer). I am also garlic crazy as well.

[@jaytoney3007]

The end of October, and first half of November is Ideal for planting garlic in your area.

[@GardenerScott]

You're welcome. That should be a good time to plant.

[@hyesunstuart1320]

@@GardenerScott Thanks!

[@hyesunstuart1320]

I need to amend my garden soil. What should I do to buy the fertilizer to grow garlics?

[@rickthelian2215]

I ❤ Garlic😊 My concern in a garden bed they dig say 2 inches down to protect the clove, due to depth it won’t freeze, hence over wintering. In Australia we just plant, or I do, but no more than an inch deep, no snow or harsh winters, some exceptions apply. My concern in pots in snowy cold conditions in at wet or at least moist pot the mulch protects the clove from above, but what protects the sides of the pots? In a garden the soil around the sides are protected from the cold. Note this may all depend on how cold it gets in your zone...

[@jaytoney3007]

The seasons are reversed in Australia, and it has a warmer climate. You will want to stick to soft neck varieties, and plant when the season turns cooler, around May, and figure about 8 months until harvest, in December, when the weather turns hot. I generally plant my garlic closer to the surface, an inch or less, and cover with mulch (Chopped up leaves). I'm in a warmer climate than Gardener Scott, Alabama 7B, but it still frosts, and snows. The number of snow days varies from year to year, some years none, and other years up to two weeks. With or without snow, temperatures drop to about 20F in the coldest part of winter. How cold, and for how many days is the biggest factor in how deep to plant garlic. If I was in South Florida, I would plant it just deep enough to cover the cloves, and lightly cover with mulch. Garlic needs cold weather dormancy to form a bulb, hard neck more than soft neck. Planting shallow will be a better option for your area. No need to worry about protecting the garlic from freezing temperatures. They go dormant during the freezing temperatures, and the cold makes them produce a larger bulb.

[@rickthelian2215]

@@jaytoney3007 I actually grew hard neck garlic last year in Sydney Australia, just from supermarket from Egypt and had a wonderful harvest and took the.scapes off, I was extremely impressed I grew them again this year. I only had grown soft necks prior.

[@GardenerScott]

Garlic can handle freezing temperatures when they are dormant. The mulch helps moderate soil temperature and helps more with the temperatures in fall and spring when freezing and thawing could push the cloves out of the ground.

[@darylwatson4777]

I enjoyed the helpful video and I have a question where did you buy your water can from?

[@GardenerScott]

I just picked it up during a spring sale a few years ago and don't remember the exact store.

[@ginavandam735]

Great video, thanks!😀👍 I thought it will be too cold to plant in containers or bags?? We have cold winters, as -10 to - 20 C°.. Do I have to cover the containers to avoid freezing?. Or is it just too cold for containergardening ?? Greetings from Sweden🇸🇪

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks. My winters get down to -26C and my soil freezes solid. Every year my garlic does good. There are many plants I can't grow in containers and you may be limited too, but it's worth a try.

[@ginavandam735]

@@GardenerScott Thanks...I will try it!

[@serenanorrell4962]

We had 2 nights of freezing temperatures but this weekend we are in the 90s for the high! I planted my garlic after refrigerating it for 2 weeks. We are having warmer than normal temperatures this week, though we will get a cold front and rain Tuesday and Wednesday according to the forecast. First freeze is usually around November 4th. When should I apply mulch and do I need to do anything else to it with these warmer temperatures?

[@GardenerScott]

I mulch as soon as I plant. When it's hot the mulch helps keep the soil cooler.

[@eliandkate]

😊 great minds

[@roccoconte2960]

Is it as hardy in pots as in the ground?

[@GardenerScott]

It should be.

[@kimszalay2626]

Do you take the papers off of the cloves before you plant?

[@tombryant4518]

No

[@bigoljoe1829]

I am in zone 9a, so our winters are very warm by comparison. Could I start my garlic in a bucket and then store that bucket in my garage freezer for a time to mimic a cold winter or am I fully stuck searching for warm weather garlic?

[@GardenerScott]

An easier way is to put the bulbs in the refrigerator for a couple months and then plant them.

[@CustomCroshae]

Can I grow garlic now in August for zone 8b

[@GardenerScott]

You can, but expect it to grow more like green onions and not develop big bulbs.

[@CustomCroshae]

@@GardenerScott I’ll wait then cause I want bulbs

[@rellimarual]

Do you just plant garlic you buy at the supermarket or is it a special kind?

[@GardenerScott]

I use garlic that I have saved from the previous harvest. They are specific varieties that originally came from local and online nurseries.

[@alicias9928]

I like the idea of growing a lot of garlic, but I cringe to leave beds empty July - August - September. After you harvest do you plant something to utilize the rest of the summer? If so, what? Does garlic have pests requiring rotation?

[@sensenisok]

Any cool season vegtable can start when garlic ends

[@GardenerScott]

Garlic might have pests depending on where you live, but it usually doesn't require rotation with proper control. I like to have a fall garden and sow seeds once the garlic is harvested. Here's one of my videos that shows that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYq0XqSPhdV9h9k

[@alicias9928]

@@sensenisok Unfortunately where I live July and August days are 90 - 100 degrees so fall crop seedlings struggle.

[@hyesunstuart1320]

Where can I buy the hard neck garlic?

[@GardenerScott]

Start with your local plant nursery. Many varieties are available online as most seed sellers sell it too.

[@emkn1479]

I generally keep perlite, vermiculite, and organic granulated fertilizers on hand. Can’t I just use those mixed into a lower quality bagged mix?

[@GardenerScott]

You can.

[@Ninafaye6611]

ok i have a raised bed but should i plant in containers since i wont get my garlic until next week. i am in zone 6b and we have had a frost but its warm again.guerneys wont mail until last of october. do all seed sellers do this?

[@GardenerScott]

You can match the bed or container where you grow with how much you plan to grow. Some seed sellers match shipping with the hardiness zone, but not all of them do that. Fall is the time almost all ship it.

[@Ninafaye6611]

i think ill try both ty@@GardenerScott

[@FantasySports101]

Where can we purchase your “Gardener Scott” T-shirt online?

[@GardenerScott]

You can get them here: gardener-scotts-store.creator-spring.com

[@teenadamron7654]

Your containers look about 3 gal where did you find them

[@GardenerScott]

They are 4 gal cake frosting buckets I got for free from my supermarket bakery.

[@ralphb4012]

I live outside Buffalo NY in zone 3. I've often heard that containers will freeze completely which is not good for growing garlic. Is there any truth to this?

[@GardenerScott]

It depends on the container and it's location and the moisture level of the soil and how quickly it freezes. A dry soil that freezes doesn't expand much and is less likely to break a container. A wet soil will expand and is more likely to break it. Terracotta and ceramic pots can absorb moisture that adds to the possibility of cracking. A plastic or resin pot is not likely to break. If the containers are sheltered or continually covered by snow they are less likely to break too.

[@ralphb4012]

@@GardenerScott thanks. I'm less worried about the container issue because I never had any issue with cracking or having so much water that it freezes when the use is for other plants left over winter without anything planted. I am not worried about that problem. But I have heard that garlic will not grow properly if all the soil is frozen. Being in Buffalo NY, there will be plenty of snow. I have a couple of 5 gallon buckets that I might be able to put in an unheated garage, if that helps any. But there would be no light which I assume is a non issue. But my concern would be those I am unable to move.

[@GardenerScott]

My Zone 5 raised bed soil freezes every winter and I've grown garlic for years. It can be more difficult in containers, more from the soil drying out than from freezing. Zone 4 is typically the lower limit for garlic. You should definitely consider putting buckets in a protected area like a garage.

[@terrywallace5181]

Why not put a bucket lid on until next year?

[@GardenerScott]

That can hold in moisture and keep out oxygen, which can cause issues with mold, rot, and anaerobic bacteria.

[@Mary-uz2tz]

Let's talk gardening not finances!!!!

[@billwilson3665]

Garlic that you smoke?

[@patwagner9308]

Keeping fingers crossed that 2024 we'll have nice, big heads of garlic I've grown. I have tried & tried & TRIED to grow garlic ! I've always planted the cloves in the ground under our south-facing liv.rm. window because that area gets some sun. We have a VERY shady property. Well, first I planted cloves from store-bought garlic not realizing it's treated. OK. Learned about that. Then I bought soft neck garlic. Planted that. The results were pathetic. The heads weren't much bigger than a couple cloves. Finally, I realized I needed hard neck garlic for our area. (Central Oh.) Bought that last year & planted it in same location. It was doing great right up until about a month from harvest time. Suddenly, lots of little black specks were lined up on the leaves. A fungus,I believe. Ruined the garlic. Didn't get anything. So ! Being one determined woman, I did more research & decided to try Grow Bags & put them on our addition roof which is accessible thru a window upstairs that goes almost to the floor. That roof is the sunniest place on our property. It doesn't get full sun but it gets a lot more than on the ground. A friend has success growing garlic in containers....I asked what soil he uses & got that : Miracle Grow potting soil. I added worm castings for good measure. I planted the garlic on Sept. 18 because I read to plant it about a month before the first frost. I haven't put straw on the bags yet but will soon. As I said, keeping fingers crossed that THIS time we're going to get nice, big heads of garlic !!! This isn't the first time I've gardened on that roof. Can't say there's been much success out there.....but.....(deep sigh).....I've grown hot peppers for my husband in our upper window boxes w/fair amount of success. Do you sell your garlic? I'm wondering why you're growing over 300 heads of it !! LOL Unless.....you eat a LOT of garlic !

[@GardenerScott]

I don't sell my garlic. I save much of it to make powder to give to my family. It takes a lot of cloves for a small amount of garlic powder.

[@patwagner9308]

@@GardenerScott Oh, that's most interesting!! Yes, I can easily imagine it would take a LOT of cloves to make a little bit of garlic powder. I've done it w/hot peppers. I thought maybe you ran a farmer's market or a stand by your house . 🏠