Plant cloves pointed end up, 2–3 inches deep. Roots begin developing but little top growth occurs as the plant prepares for winter dormancy.
Winter temperatures trigger vernalization. The plant is programmed to form multiple cloves. Root growth may continue slowly beneath the soil.
The garlic plant will begin growing a strong leaf canopy and roots expand rapidly.
The plant becomes taller and stem diameter increases as individual cloves begin developing underground.
A flower stalk, called a scape, emerges from the center of the plant. Growers will remove scapes after they make one full curl so that energy that would have gone into flowering is redirected into bulb development.
Lower leaves begin turning yellow and bulbs expand rapidly underground. Cloves fill out and gain weight and protective wrapper layers develop around the bulb.
Approximately 40–60% of leaves have browned and bulbs have reached their maximum size.
Hang garlic bundles or place bulbs on drying racks in a well-ventilated area. Allow 2–4 weeks for drying so that outer wrappers dry and toughen and the neck seals.