How to Grow Softneck Garlic: A Complete Guide for Home Gardeners

Softneck garlic  is one of the easiest and most rewarding garlic varieties to grow. Known for its excellent storage life and the beautiful braided garlic strings often seen at farmers' markets, softneck garlic is a favorite among home gardeners and commercial growers alike.

With the right planting time, good soil, and a little care throughout the growing season, you can harvest large, flavorful bulbs that store for many months.

What Is Softneck Garlic?

Softneck garlic is the most widely grown type of garlic in many parts of the world. Unlike hardneck garlic, it produces soft, flexible stems instead of a stiff flowering stalk (scape), making it ideal for braiding after harvest.

Softneck garlic is especially valued for:

  • Long storage life (often 8–12 months under proper conditions)
  • Multiple cloves per bulb
  • Mild to medium garlic flavor
  • Excellent performance in regions with mild winters

In colder parts of Canada, many gardeners successfully grow softneck garlic by planting it in the fall and protecting it with mulch.

When to Plant Softneck Garlic

For most Canadian gardeners, the best time to plant softneck garlic is in the fall, about 4–6 weeks before the ground freezes.

This allows the cloves to develop roots before winter dormancy.

In most of Ontario, that means planting from late September through October, depending on local weather.

Fall planting offers several advantages:

  • Earlier spring growth
  • Larger bulbs at harvest
  • Better root development before winter

Choose Healthy Seed Garlic

Always plant seed garlic, not garlic treated for grocery store shelves.

Choose bulbs that are:

  • Firm and healthy
  • Free from mold or soft spots
  • Large and well developed

Larger cloves generally produce larger bulbs, so select your biggest planting cloves whenever possible.

Prepare the Soil

Softneck garlic grows best in loose, fertile, well-drained soil.

Ideal conditions include:

  • Full sun (at least 6–8 hours daily)
  • Rich organic matter
  • Good drainage
  • Soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0

Before planting, incorporate compost or well-rotted manure into the soil.

Avoid planting garlic where onions, garlic, or other alliums have recently grown, as crop rotation helps reduce disease pressure.

How to Plant Softneck Garlic

Separate the bulb into individual cloves just before planting.

Plant each clove:

  • Pointed end up
  • 5–8 cm (2–3 inches) deep
  • 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) apart

Space rows about 25–30 cm (10–12 inches) apart to provide good air circulation and make weeding easier.

After planting, water the bed if the soil is dry.

Mulch for Winter Protection

After the ground begins to cool, apply a layer of mulch such as:

  • Straw
  • Shredded leaves
  • Clean hay

Mulch helps:

  • Protect cloves from repeated freezing and thawing
  • Conserve soil moisture
  • Reduce winter weed growth

In spring, garlic shoots will emerge through the mulch as temperatures warm.

If you'd like to learn more about what happens during the cold months, read our article on how garlic survives winter.

Caring for Softneck Garlic

As soon as garlic begins growing in spring:

  • Lightly loosen the soil between rows if needed.
  • Apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to encourage healthy leaf growth.
  • Water consistently during dry periods.
  • Keep the bed free of weeds, which compete for nutrients and moisture.

Unlike hardneck garlic, softneck garlic does not usually produce flower scapes, so there is no need to remove them.

When to Harvest Softneck Garlic

Softneck garlic is usually ready to harvest in mid to late summer, depending on your location and planting date.

Watch the leaves carefully.

Harvest when:

  • The lower leaves have turned brown.
  • About one-third to one-half of the leaves remain green.

Harvesting too early may result in undersized bulbs, while waiting too long can cause bulbs to split and reduce storage life.

Cure Before Storing

After harvesting:

  • Brush off excess soil (do not wash the bulbs).
  • Leave the leaves attached.
  • Hang or lay the garlic in a dry, shaded, well-ventilated location.

Allow the bulbs to cure for 2–4 weeks.

Once fully cured, trim the roots. If you plan to braid your garlic, leave the stems attached while they are still flexible.

Properly cured softneck garlic can often be stored for many months in a cool, dry location.

Common Growing Mistakes

Avoid these common problems:

  • Planting cloves too shallow
  • Using poorly drained soil
  • Overwatering
  • Allowing weeds to compete with young plants
  • Harvesting too early or too late

Good timing and consistent care throughout the season are the keys to producing large, healthy bulbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can softneck garlic survive Canadian winters?

Yes. With fall planting and a protective layer of mulch, many softneck varieties grow successfully in much of southern Canada, including Ontario.

Does softneck garlic produce scapes?

Generally, no. Unlike hardneck garlic, softneck varieties rarely produce flower stalks under normal growing conditions.

How long does softneck garlic store?

One of its biggest advantages is its excellent shelf life. When properly cured and stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, softneck garlic can often last 8–12 months.

Final Thoughts

Softneck garlic is an excellent choice for gardeners who want reliable harvests, long storage life, and versatile kitchen garlic. With fertile soil, fall planting, winter protection, and simple spring care, you can enjoy healthy bulbs that will last well into the following season.

Whether you're planting your first garlic bed or expanding an existing one, softneck garlic is a rewarding crop that offers fresh flavor and dependable harvests year after year.