Get Ready for Garlic Season: Everything You Do Now Leads to Bigger Harvests Next Summer
If you think garlic season starts in the fall, think again.
The secret to growing large, flavorful garlic bulbs actually begins weeks before planting. The time you spend preparing your garden now will reward you with healthier plants, stronger root systems, and bigger harvests next summer.
At Mad River Garlic Growers, we've spent years growing USDA Certified Organic seed garlic, and one thing is always true: great garlic starts with great preparation.
Whether you're planting your very first garlic bed or expanding your garden this season, now is the perfect time to prepare your soil, choose your favorite varieties, and reserve your garlic before popular selections sell out.
Why Start Preparing Now?
Garlic develops one of the largest root systems of any garden crop before winter arrives.
When cloves are planted into loose, nutrient-rich soil, they establish strong roots before the ground freezes. Those healthy roots fuel vigorous spring growth and ultimately produce larger, healthier bulbs.
Waiting until planting day to prepare your garden often means compacted soil, fewer nutrients, and more work when temperatures begin to cool.
A little planning today makes fall planting easier—and next summer's harvest much more rewarding.
Your Mad River Garlic Growers "Get Ready" Checklist
Prepare Your Soil
Healthy soil is the foundation of every successful garlic harvest.
Garlic thrives in fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Start preparing your beds several weeks before planting so nutrients have time to integrate into the soil.
For the best results:
- Add several inches of finished compost or well-aged organic matter.
- Loosen soil 8–12 inches deep.
- Remove rocks, weeds, and large roots.
- Avoid areas where water stands after heavy rain.
- If drainage is poor, consider raised beds.
Healthy soil creates healthier roots—and healthier roots produce larger garlic bulbs.
Choose Your Garlic Varieties
One of the best parts of growing garlic is discovering just how different each variety can be.
At Mad River Garlic Growers, we offer more than 40 USDA Certified Organic garlic varieties, each with its own flavor profile, growing characteristics, and culinary uses.
Whether you're looking for:
- Mild garlic for everyday cooking
- Rich roasting garlic with buttery sweetness
- Bold, spicy garlic for recipes
- Gourmet garlic for grilling
- Beautiful purple-striped heirlooms
- Long-storing favorites
- Easy-to-grow varieties for beginners
...there's a perfect garlic for every garden and every kitchen.
Many gardeners plant several different varieties to enjoy unique flavors throughout the year.
Plan Your Garden
Choosing the right location is just as important as choosing the right garlic.
Garlic grows best when it receives:
- 6–8 hours of full sun
- Excellent drainage
- Loose soil
- Plenty of airflow
Leave enough spacing between rows so bulbs have room to fully develop. Crowded garlic often produces smaller bulbs.
Planning your layout now makes planting day fast and stress-free.
Reserve Your Garlic Early
Every season, some of our most popular organic seed garlic varieties sell out before planting time arrives.
Many gardeners wait until fall to order, only to discover their favorite varieties are no longer available.
Ordering early means:
- The best selection
- Access to limited varieties
- Plenty of time to plan your garden
- Peace of mind before planting season begins
When your garlic arrives, you'll be ready to plant at the ideal time for your growing region.
Plant This Fall
Garlic is planted in the fall because it needs a period of winter cold—called vernalization—to produce large bulbs the following summer.
After planting:
- Roots develop throughout the fall.
- Plants rest during winter.
- Fresh green shoots emerge in spring.
- Bulbs size up through early summer.
- Harvest begins the following season.
It's one of the easiest crops to grow and one of the most rewarding vegetables in the garden.
Why Gardeners Love Organic Seed Garlic
Starting with high-quality certified organic seed garlic makes a tremendous difference.
Quality seed garlic produces:
- Stronger plants
- Better disease resistance
- Larger bulbs
- Better storage
- Exceptional flavor
At Mad River Garlic Growers, every bulb is carefully grown, inspected, and selected to help gardeners enjoy a successful harvest.
Whether you're planting your first raised bed or growing hundreds of bulbs, starting with premium seed garlic gives your garden the best possible beginning.
Start Preparing Today
The countdown to garlic season has already begun.
Prepare your soil, choose the varieties that fit your cooking style, and reserve your favorites before they're gone.
With over 40 USDA Certified Organic garlic varieties, there's something for every gardener—from beginners planting their first cloves to experienced growers looking for exceptional flavor and impressive harvests.
The work you do today will pay off with beautiful, homegrown garlic next summer.
Ready to Grow Your Best Garlic Yet?
- Prepare your soil today.
- Choose your favorite garlic varieties.
- Reserve your certified organic seed garlic early.
- Plant this fall.
- Harvest beautiful, flavorful garlic next summer.
Mad River Garlic Growers is here to help you grow your biggest and best garlic harvest yet.
