DavidIf you are an avid garlic user, then it is time to take an adventure and begin to grow your garlic today. If you reside in Texas and you are wondering whether or not it is possible to grow garlic in Texas, the answer is yes!
Growing garlic in Texas is not difficult, but to get the best from it, you need good growing conditions.
To grow garlic successfully you have to select a planting area, site preparation, select garlic varieties, seed planting, watering regularly, watering regularly, mulching, fertilizer application, weeding, and harvesting.
If you enjoy garlic as much as I do, you should clear some space in your garden to grow some. We have compiled in this guideline all the information you need on how to get started:
How To Grow Garlic In Texas
If you are still interested to learn how to grow garlic in Texas, here are 9 important steps you need to consider as you start.
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Step 1 – Selecting Planting Area
Sunlight is essential for the proper growth of garlic bulbs and they need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Ensure that your soil is pliable and free-draining. Compost and all-purpose fertilizer, like Microlife’s Multi-Purpose Fertilizer, should be added.
Step 2 – Site Preparation
It’s crucial to carry out site preparation for garlic cultivation as this is the first step in growing garlic. Use a garden fork or large spade to loosen the soil and break up any soil or rock clumps that may be present.
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Clear the land of any stones and other undesirable plants. Create a trench that is four times as deep as it already is, then fill it with some loose soil from an existing garden plot.
Additionally, to aid in the growth of your cloves, amend the soil in your garden with a soil mix or compost that is high in nitrogen.
Step 3 – Select Garlic Varieties
The two primary varieties of garlic are hardneck and softneck. The warmer climate of Texas is ideal for softnecks because Hardneck varieties have a shorter shelf life and are better suited for colder climates.
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If you plan to grow in Texas, be sure to buy a softneck variety. Thermadrone, Lorz Italian, Georgian Crystal, Creole, and Romanian Red garlic plants are some of the best softneck varieties you can grow in Texas. Remember to purchase seedlings from a retail nursery or mature plants from a nearby farmer.
Step 4 – Seed Planting
Separate the garlic bulbs into individual cloves, and then soak them in water containing some liquid seaweed. You can soak overnight but should not be more than 24 hours.
The cloves should be planted 2-4 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart, with the pointy end up. You can either broadcast the clove in your garden or plant them in rows.
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Step 5 – Watering Regularly
As the garlic grows, water it thoroughly. Watering deeply and infrequently is preferable. Water the garlic less frequently as it nears the end of its growth cycle to allow the bulbs to begin firming up.
Step 6: Mulching
Apply mulch to your garlic. Make use of dry grass in the soil around your garlic plant as much as soon as it is planted.
As your garlic grows, this will help your plants absorb more nutrients, keep the soil cool, and prevent weeds from sprouting.
Step 7: Fertilizer Application
Up until the time of harvest, nitrogen is essential for the growth of garlic. From the time the first garlic shoots appear until it is time to harvest, spray liquid fertilizer on your plant at least twice a month.
Step 8: Weeding
Weed the area around your garlic plant at the very least once a week. The yield of your plant can be cut by more than half if there are too many weeds.
To prevent weeds from robbing your garlic of nutrients, pull them frequently before they spread out of control.
Step 9 – Harvesting
The majority of softneck garlic can be harvested 6 to 8 months after planting. The type of garlic planted and the weather will both play a role.
When half of the lower leaves have turned brown, it is an indication that the garlic is ready. Pull it from the ground, don’t wash the dirt off the garlic after it has been completely dug out of the ground.
For proper long-term storage, the garlic must be allowed to dry and cure. Arrange the garlic in a single layer on slatted shelves or the floor, to ensure proper airflow.
The best place to do this is inside a garage, a house, or another dry area where the temperature is between 70 and 80 degrees.
Variety of Garlic in Texas
There are several varieties of garlic that grow well in Texas. Some of the most popular varieties include:
- Texas White: This is a softneck garlic with a mild flavor that is often used in cooking. It is known for its large bulbs and long shelf life.
- Red Creole: This is a hardneck garlic with a spicy flavor that is well-suited for roasting. It is known for its purple-striped cloves and easy-to-peel skins.
- Silver Rose: This is a hardneck garlic with a sweet, mild flavor. It is known for its pinkish-purple cloves and excellent storage qualities.
Garlic Prices in Texas
Garlic prices in Texas can vary depending on factors such as the variety of garlic, the time of year, and the location of the seller. On average, you can expect to pay around $1 to $2 per bulb of garlic.
Best Agronomic Practices for Growing Garlic in Texas
To grow garlic successfully in Texas, you should consider the following best agronomic practices:
- Plant garlic in the fall: Garlic grows best when planted in the fall, between mid-September and mid-November in most areas of Texas.
- Choose a sunny location: Garlic needs plenty of sunlight to grow properly, so choose a location with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Prepare the soil: Garlic prefers well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Add compost or well-rotted manure to the soil before planting.
- Plant garlic cloves: Separate garlic bulbs into individual cloves and plant them pointed end up, about 2 inches deep and 6 to 8 inches apart in rows.
- Water regularly: Garlic needs consistent moisture to grow properly, so water regularly and deeply, but do not overwater.
- Mulch: Mulching around garlic plants with straw or leaves can help conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
- Fertilize: Garlic needs adequate nitrogen to grow, so consider fertilizing with a balanced fertilizer or side-dressing with compost or manure in the spring.
Projected Profit of Growing Garlic in Texas
The projected profit of growing garlic in Texas can vary depending on factors such as the variety of garlic, the size of your operation, and the market conditions.
However, if grown and marketed correctly, garlic can be a profitable crop.
According to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, garlic yields in Texas can range from 2 to 6 tons per acre, and the average price per pound for garlic in Texas is around $4.
Common Diseases and Pests of Garlic
Garlic can be susceptible to several diseases and pests in Texas. Some of the most common include:
- Onion thrips: These tiny insects can damage leaves and reduce yields. Treatment may include using insecticidal soap or neem oil.
- White rot: This fungal disease can cause bulbs to rot and can persist in the soil for years. Prevention includes planting in well-drained soil and avoiding planting in fields with a history of white rot.
- Downy mildew: This fungal disease can cause yellowing and wilting of leaves. Treatment may include using copper-based fungicides.
- Garlic rust: This fungal disease can cause orange or yellow spots on leaves. Treatment may include using fungicides or removing infected leaves.
Different Propagation Methods of Garlic
Garlic can be propagated through cloves or bulbils. Cloves are the most common method of propagation and are the individual segments of a garlic bulb. Bulbils are small bulbs that form in the flower head of hardneck garlic varieties.
They can be used to grow new garlic plants, but it may take several years for them to mature and produce bulbs of a usable size. Bulbils can also be used for culinary purposes, such as pickling.
When planting garlic cloves, it is important to select healthy, disease-free bulbs and separate the individual cloves for planting.
The largest cloves will produce the largest bulbs. When planting bulbils, select healthy, mature flower heads and plant them in the fall, as you would with garlic cloves.
Does Garlic Grow Well In Texas?
Garlic grows well in Texas if planted under the ideal soil and climatic condition.
How Long Does It Take To Grow Garlic In Texas?
Garlic grown under proper conditions will grow to maturity between 8 to 9 months.
What Is The Secret To Growing Garlic?
The secret to growing larger and healthy garlic requires you to plant in a weed-free area, mulch during the winter season to keep the soil warm, plant or place in a sunny location, as well as planting in a well-draining rich moist soil.
What Garlic Grows Best In Texas?
The shortneck garlic varieties are the best species to grow in Texas because the planting season is in line with Texas weather.
Can I Plant Garlic In March In Texas?
It is best to plant garlic from mid-October through December. If you are planting in March, ensure you create an enabling environment and provide needed resources to allow plants to grow properly.
Can I Plant Garlic In March?
Depending on your location, you can plant garlic in March. Ensure you provide enabling conditions to enhance plant growth so that the rhizomes won’t die off.
Can I Plant Garlic In February?
You can plant garlic in February as it falls within the standard planting calendar which is from mid-October to February.
What Grows Well With Garlic?
If you are looking to grow companion plants along with your garlic, you should plant one or more of the following. These are:
- Broccoli
- Cabbages
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Fruit trees.
- Kale
- Potatoes
- Tomatoes
How Do You Cure Garlic In Texas?
After harvesting, you should tie you’re the harvested garlic into bunches of 5 and hang to air dry in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area for 4-6 weeks. Alternatively, you can spread garlic out on a screen if you have the needed space.
Does Garlic Come Back Every Year?
Garlic is grown as perennial meaning it can grow back every year.
What Is the Best Fertilizer For Garlic?
The best fertilizer for garlic plants should be high in nitrogen, especially those containing blood meal, pelleted chicken manure, or a synthetic source of nitrogen.
What Happens If You Plant Garlic In The Spring?
Planting your garlic in spring is not the best because your garlic plant will have less time than normal for garlic to grow, causing your garlic spring garlic to be smaller than those planted during winter. Also, it will not have the classic cloves.
How Long Does Garlic Take To Grow?
Garlic grows under 8 months if sown under ideal soil and climate condition.
How Do You Grow Garlic From Store-Bought Bulbs?
The bulb should be divided into individual cloves. With the sharp end facing up, plant the cloves and then cover them with a few inches (5 cm) of earth.
When Should I Plant Garlic?
The ideal moment to plant your garlic is between late September and November.
Can Garlic Be Planted In Pots?
Garlic can be planted in pots as long as you make use of the right container and also place the plant under the right condition.
How Deep Should Garlic Be Planted?
Garlic can be planted three inches deep and then cover with about six inches of soil or more.
Can You Grow Garlic From A Clove?
You can grow garlic from a clove. The bulb is broken into cloves and each is planted in rows or scattered on the planting site.
How Long Does Garlic Take To Grow?
If you grow your garlic in suitable soil and under the ideal climate condition, it should grow between 7 to 8 months.
What Is The Best Garlic To Grow In North Texas?
Despite most areas of Texas favoring softneck garlic varieties, however, in North Texas, the Hardneck varieties are the best garlic to grow. Because hardneck garlic grows better in the region’s cold climate.
Can You Grow Garlic In Dallas?
Dallas is one of the regions in North Texas where you can grow garlic. Be sure to choose the hardneck varieties to sow.
Can You Grow Garlic In Houston?
Garlic is one of the most commonly grown plants in best things to grow in Houston.
How To Grow Garlic In Pots
To grow garlic in pots, you have to prepare rich well-draining potting soil and fill the pot with the soil. Then, you should moist the soil mildly before planting each clove into the potting soil and push down with your finger.
While planting, make sure you space your cloves about 3 to 4 inches apart to give enough room for plants to grow.
Growing Garlic In South Texas
Growing garlic in South Texas is not a tedious task. Plus, it is commonly grown as a perennial plant, and it is normally planted during the mid to late fall season.
Because garlic is extremely frost-hardy, if planted in October in South Texas, it may develop tops that appear above the soil and be well rooted by November. By June the crop will fully grow and be ready for harvest.
How To Grow Garlic Indoors
The best way to grow garlic indoors is to use growing pots or any other suitable container. Make sure the container has draining holes. Fill the container with rich potting soil and moist mildly.
In each container, plant three or four cloves. Place the container on a sunny window ledge and water them lightly. Continue to care for the plant and the garlic greens will grow in just 7 to 10 days.
How To Grow Garlic In Houston Texas
In Houston, you can plant your garlic outside on a farm bed or indoors using an ideal planting container. Make sure the soil is loose well-draining loam-sandy soil.
The garlic bud should be divided into cloves but the skin should not be peeled off. Plant the seed at least 3 inches deep and space it 8 inches apart. If you plant in a pot, you should plant just 2 to 3 seeds per pot.
Make sure you plant it in a sunny location, if it is a container, place it in a sunny location. Ensure you care for the plants so that they can grow properly and be ready for harvest.
Planting Garlic In North Texas
Planting garlic in North Texas is easier than you think. Garlic is best planted in mid-October since the land does not completely freeze.
You can plant your garlic in a container or directly on farmland. All you need is a bud of garlic, a planting site or container, sunny location that is filled with well-draining loose soil that has been prepared.
Garlic cloves with their skin intact can be planted directly into soil on a farmland or planting container just 2 to 3 inches deep and spaced just 8-inches apart. For containers, just 2 to 3 seedlings are enough per pot. Make sure you moist the soil regularly and weed if necessary.
Growing Garlic In East Texas
Late fall is the ideal period to plant garlic in East Texas. The garlic cloves should be prepared for planting by separating the bud into cloves with the skin intact.
Prepare a sunny location with rich soil that drains properly and it is ideal for garlic farming.
Garlic can be planted directly into the ground on a farm or in a planting container, 2 to 3 inches deep and spaced 8 inches apart. Just 2 to 3 seedlings are required per pot for containers. Regularly moisten the soil, and weed if necessary.
When To Plant Garlic In Central Texas
You can grow garlic outdoors in your home, garden, or on a sizable acreage in Central Texas. Using the right planting container, you can also grow plants indoors. Make sure the soil is a loose, sandy loam that drains properly.
Cloves of garlic should be separated from their buds, but the skin should not be removed. The seed should be sown 8 inches apart and at least 3 inches deep. Just 2 to 3 seeds should be planted per pot.
If you are planting in a container, place it in a sunny position and be sure to plant it. Make sure to take good care of the plants so they can develop normally and be ready for harvest.
Can I Plant Garlic In March In Texas
Garlic should be planted at its peak from mid-October to December. If you plant in March, make sure to provide a supportive atmosphere and supply the resources the plant needs to thrive.
Conclusion
Garlic is frequently used in most households across the United States. They have a lengthy growing season and are simple to grow. This guide will help you successfully grow garlic in Texas.
I would like to plant a crop on an 1/2 acre un prepared lot in Grayson County. Is this a feasable profitable crop for one man effort?
Hello Chuck, thanks for reading this piece, as touching your question, definitely it’s possible to cultivate half acre with necessary equipment that will aid you.
Also, crop type you want to engage will tell if you will be needing hands.