Dig Now, Harvest Later: Garlic Wisdom From Rock Pillar Grounds

As the Ozark air turns crisp and the pastures quiet down, it’s garlic season here in Southwest Missouri. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or just dipping your boots into backyard gardening, planting garlic in the fall is one of the simplest, most rewarding ways to invest in next year’s harvest. Garlic is a quiet powerhouse in the garden. It repels pests, requires little fuss, and rewards patience with flavorful, long-storing bulbs.

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🌱 Why Fall Is Garlic Time

In our corner of Missouri—Zone 6b to 7a—mid-October through early November is the sweet spot for planting garlic. The goal is to give each clove 2–4 weeks to establish roots before the ground freezes, without encouraging premature sprouting. A light frost is your signal to get planting, but don’t wait too long—once the soil dips below 50°F, garlic settles in nicely for winter.

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🧄 Hardneck vs. Softneck: What’s the Difference?

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🌱 Plan Your Garlic Bed with Next Year in Mind

Garlic is a long-season crop—planted in October or early November, but not harvested until late May through early July. That means it’ll still be growing when most of your spring and summer crops are ready to go in.

Garlic needs its own dedicated space—somewhere it can grow undisturbed while the rest of your garden wakes up in spring. Avoid planting it in prime real estate you’ll want for early tomatoes, peppers, or squash. Instead, choose a corner, border, or raised bed that won’t interfere with your spring planting plans.

It pairs well with carrots, brassicas, and herbs like dill and chamomile—but steer clear of planting it near peas, beans, or asparagus, which don’t appreciate its strong presence.

If you’re working with limited space, consider planting garlic alongside cool-season crops that will be harvested early. These companions can be tucked around garlic rows and will be out of the way before garlic bulbs reach full size:

• Radishes

• Spinach

• Lettuce

• Beets

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🌾 Planting Tips for the Ozarks

• Soil prep: Garlic loves loose, well-drained soil. Raised beds or amended rows work best in our rocky terrain.

• Spacing: Plant cloves 2–3 inches deep, pointy side up, and 4–6 inches apart.

• Mulch: Cover with straw or leaves to insulate and suppress weeds.

• Watering: Lightly water until the freeze; resume in spring if dry.

• Spring care: Remove mulch once shoots emerge and fertilize with compost.