PLANTING GARLIC
Planting Garlic in the Low Desert of Arizona (Zone 9b)
Why Plant Garlic?
Garlic is a hardy crop that thrives in Arizona's warm climate. It can be a great addition to your garden, helping to improve soil health and deter pests, while providing you with flavorful bulbs to harvest!
Best Time to Plant
Planting Time: October through early November
Garlic needs cooler temperatures to develop strong roots before winter. In Arizona’s low desert (Zone 9b), this ensures the garlic has enough time to establish before spring heat arrives.
Varieties for Zone 9b
Softneck Varieties are best suited for warmer climates like ours.
Recommended Varieties: California Early, Silverskin, Creole
Hardneck Varieties can also work but require extra care to prevent bolting.
Soil Preparation
Amend Your Soil: Garlic thrives in rich, well-drained soil.
Add compost and organic matter to improve soil fertility.
Garlic prefers slightly acidic soil, with a pH of 6.0-7.0.
Loosen soil to at least 12 inches deep to encourage deep root growth.
How to Plant
Spacing: Plant individual cloves 4–6 inches apart and 2 inches deep, with the pointed end facing up.
Rows: Space rows about 12 inches apart to allow for growth and airflow.
Mulch: Cover the planting area with a thick layer of mulch (straw or compost) to help regulate soil temperature and retain moisture.
Watering
Water Deeply: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water garlic deeply after planting to encourage root development, and reduce watering as the bulbs mature in late spring.
Sunlight Needs
Full Sun: Garlic loves full sun, so choose a location that gets at least 6–8 hours of sunlight daily.
Care and Maintenance
Fertilizing: Apply a balanced organic fertilizer in early spring for optimal growth.
Weeding: Keep the area free of weeds, which can compete for nutrients and water.
Pests: Garlic is naturally pest-resistant but can be affected by thrips and onion maggots—use organic pest control if needed.
Harvesting
Time to Harvest: Late May to early June
Garlic is ready to harvest when the lower leaves begin to turn brown but the upper leaves remain green.Cure Your Garlic: After harvesting, cure garlic bulbs in a dry, well-ventilated area for 2-4 weeks.