Spring Time Care
Dick’s Stinkin’ Good Garlic
Spring Garlic Care
Wake up your garlic right: check mulch, feed, water, weed, and prepare for scapes and harvest.
Early Spring: Check Mulch & Soil
- Lighten heavy mulch so shoots push through; leave a thin layer for weeds.
- If soil is soggy, lift mulch temporarily to dry the surface.
Feeding & Water
- Side-dress with compost or apply gentle liquid feeds (fish/kelp) as shoots reach 2–3".
- Maintain ~1" of water/week (rain + irrigation) through early summer; avoid waterlogging.
Weeding
Garlic hates competition. Hand-weed or shallow hoe to protect roots and bulbs; keep the mulch doing most of the weed control.
Scapes (Hardneck Only)
Remove once they form a curl to push energy into bulb growth—plus they’re delicious.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowing leaves | N deficiency or water stress | Light nitrogen feed; even watering |
| Slow emergence | Mulch too thick/cold soil | Thin mulch; warm soil |
| Fungal spots | Poor airflow & moisture | Lighten mulch; improve drainage |
What’s Next
After scapes, bulbs size up quickly. Harvest usually follows in 4–6 weeks, when 3–4 green leaves remain.
© Dick’s Stinkin’ Good Garlic