Your Garlic is Waking Up: Spring Care Tips for Bigger Bulbs

April 22, 2026

Spring has arrived, and your garlic is officially waking up.

If you’ve stepped into the garden lately, you’ve likely spotted those first green shoots pushing through the soil. It’s a small moment—but an important one. This stage sets the tone for your entire harvest. What you do now will directly impact the size, health, and quality of your garlic bulbs later in the season.

The season is just getting started in our zone 6 and we’ve applied our blood meal last week just prior to a gentle rain and then we started our first official weed. This next week we will tidy up and eliminate some more weeds. Next we will apply our next feed to the garlic which is a lower nitrogen blend. This will provide additional nutrients to support large bulb growth.

Here’s what’s happening and how to take care of your garlic right now:

Rapid Spring Growth

Your garlic is shifting from dormancy into active growth. The plant is focused on building strong leaves, and each leaf equals a layer (clove wrapper) in your final bulb. More healthy leaves = bigger garlic later.

Feed for Bigger Bulbs

This is the time to fertilize. Garlic is a heavy feeder in spring, especially nitrogen. Giving it a boost now helps it grow tall, strong, and ready to size up those bulbs.

Keep Moisture Consistent

Garlic likes steady moisture, not soaking wet soil. Aim for evenly moist conditions—especially important as temperatures warm up and growth speeds up.

Weed Control Matters

Garlic doesn’t compete well with weeds. Keep your beds clean so all the nutrients and water go to your plants—not the competition.

Sun + Airflow

Full sun is your friend. Good airflow also helps prevent disease as the plants get bigger and denser.

What’s Next?

Over the coming weeks, your garlic will continue to stretch upward and bulk out.

Soon, you’ll start watching for scapes on hardneck varieties—a sign that harvest season is getting closer. It happens faster than you think.

A little attention now goes a long way. The care you give your garlic in early spring is what turns into those big, beautiful bulbs later on.

Not Sure What to Plant Next Season?

If you’re already thinking ahead, we’ve made it easy.

Our garlic variety packs are thoughtfully selected to perform well in your region—so you can plant with confidence and enjoy a diverse, reliable harvest.

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