How to Grow Softneck Garlic
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Softneck Garlic
Allium sativum var. sativum
vegetableSoftneck garlic is a variety of garlic characterized by its flexible, soft stems that don't harden after harvest, making it ideal for braiding and long-term storage. It produces more cloves per bulb than hardneck varieties and is the type commonly found in grocery stores. Softneck garlic is well-suited to milder climates and is preferred by commercial growers.
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Example Softneck Garlic timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Softneck Garlic
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Softneck Garlic
Around Nov 8≈ 210 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Softneck garlic thrives in zones 3-10, with best performance in zones 5-8, though it adapts well to warmer climates better than hardneck varieties
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Get my Softneck Garlic timeline →Growth Stages
Planting & Dormancy
Fall planting through winter (3-4 months)Individual cloves are planted in fall (September-November in Northern Hemisphere). Cloves develop roots before winter dormancy and may show minimal top growth until spring.
Plant cloves 2 inches deep, 6 inches apart. Water after planting. Mulch heavily (4-6 inches) with straw or leaves to protect from freezing and suppress weeds. Choose a location with excellent drainage.
Spring Growth
March-April (6-8 weeks)As temperatures warm in spring, shoots emerge and plants develop 4-6 leaves. Vigorous leaf growth occurs as the plant establishes its above-ground biomass.
Remove winter mulch gradually as frost risk passes. Water regularly during dry spells. Begin fertilizing with nitrogen-rich fertilizer (compost tea or balanced fertilizer). Monitor for weeds and hand-pull regularly. Watch for pest activity.
Bulb Development
May-early June (4-6 weeks)Cloves inside the soil begin to swell and separate into individual bulb segments. Above ground, the plant continues growing taller, typically 18-24 inches, with no flowering in softneck varieties.
Maintain consistent moisture but don't overwater. Shift to lower nitrogen, higher phosphorus/potassium fertilizer to support bulb development. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. No scape removal needed for softneck varieties.
Maturation & Dormancy Prep
Late May-early July (3-4 weeks until harvest)Bulbs reach full size as foliage yellows and begins to dry. Leaves may partially fall over as the plant enters dormancy. The papery skin develops its final color and texture.
Reduce watering significantly in late spring to encourage dormancy and skin development. Stop fertilizing. Do not remove foliage prematurely. Watch for signs of harvest readiness: 3-4 lower leaves brown and dried, upper leaves still somewhat green.
Harvest & Curing
Early July through August (harvest 1-2 weeks, curing 2-4 weeks)Bulbs are dug from soil and cleaned. Garlic is then cured in a warm, well-ventilated space for 2-4 weeks to harden the papery skin and prepare for storage.
Harvest when 3-4 lower leaves are dry but upper leaves are still partly green (typically late June-early July). Dig carefully to avoid damaging bulbs. Hang in bundles or lay in single layers in a warm (75-85°F), dry, well-ventilated space with good air circulation. Cure for 2-4 weeks until leaves are completely dry and papery.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers over newly planted cloves. Practice crop rotation. Apply spinosad or parasitic nematodes. Remove and destroy heavily infested plants.
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and
(Ditylenchus dipsaci)
Use disease-free seed garlic from certified sources. Practice strict crop rotation (6+ years). Solarize soil before planting. No chemical control; remove and destroy affected plants.
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Plant disease-free cloves in uninfected soil. Practice long crop rotation (8+ years). Improve drainage and avoid overhead watering. Remove and destroy infected plants and surrounding soil.
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Ensure good air circulation through spacing and pruning. Avoid overhead watering. Apply sulfur or copper fungicide at first sign. Plant resistant varieties if available.
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Remove infested leaves. Use neem oil or insecticidal soap. Introduce predatory mites. Maintain good plant vigor through proper care.
Uses
Braiding & Long-term Storage
CulinarySoftneck garlic's flexible stems make it ideal for braiding into attractive garlands that hang in the kitchen. Its superior storage capacity (6-8 months or more in cool conditions) makes it the commercial choice for grocery stores and farmers' markets. [source]
Fresh & Cooked Cooking
CulinaryUse fresh softneck garlic cloves in raw applications like dressings, salsas, and cured preparations, or roast, sauté, and cook whole bulbs for mellow, sweet garlic flavor. The numerous smaller cloves per bulb make softneck convenient for recipes calling for finely minced garlic. [source]
Immune Support & Heart Health
MedicinalGarlic contains allicin and other sulfur compounds with documented antimicrobial and cardiovascular benefits. Traditionally used in folk medicine to support immune function and blood circulation, with modern research supporting various health-promoting properties. [source]
Natural Pest Deterrent
HouseholdGarlic-based sprays and dusts are commonly used in organic gardening to repel insects and discourage pests from vegetables and ornamental plants. The sulfur compounds that give garlic its pungent odor are distasteful to many garden pests. [source]
Decorative Braids & Wreaths
CraftThe soft, pliable stems of softneck garlic make it perfect for creating traditional braids, wreaths, and hanging garlic strings for both functional storage and kitchen décor. These arrangements make attractive gifts for food enthusiasts. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest in early summer (late June-early July in Northern climates) when 3-4 lower leaves are brown and dry but upper leaves are still somewhat green—typically 210-240 days after planting. Dig gently with a garden fork, being careful not to bruise or puncture the bulbs. Allow garlic to cure for 2-4 weeks in a warm (75-85°F), dry, well-ventilated location with good air circulation. Cure until all leaves are papery and completely dry. Trim roots and leaf tops once fully cured, leaving 1-2 inches of stem for braiding in softneck varieties. Store in cool (50-60°F), dry conditions with good air circulation; properly cured softneck garlic stores 6-8 months.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Softneck garlic is the primary type grown commercially and found in most grocery stores because it produces more cloves per bulb (10-20 cloves), stores longer (6-8+ months), and its soft stems are ideal for braiding—making it more profitable and practical for mass production.
- 🌱 Garlic has been cultivated for over 5,000 years and was valued by ancient Egyptian builders, Greek athletes, and traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine practitioners. Egyptian tombs contain drawings of garlic being offered as payment to workers.
- 🌱 The characteristic pungent smell and flavor of garlic only develops when cloves are cut or crushed, triggering an enzyme reaction that converts odorless sulfur compounds into pungent allicin—the compound responsible for garlic's health benefits and pest-repelling properties.
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