How does watering frequency affect garlic?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.The frequency of watering has a direct influence on the bulb size of garlic and its disease resistance. Mature garlic plants need 1 inch of water each week until three weeks before harvest. During one growing season, I willfully overwatered my crop, and all the garlic bulbs developed black rot and fell apart during the drying process. You will need to adjust your irrigation based on the soil type and natural rainfall.
Growth Phase Needs
- Germination (weeks 1-4): Keep soil consistently moist
- Leaf development (weeks 5-12): Water every 5-7 days
- Bulb formation (weeks 13-18): Reduce to every 10 days
- Pre-harvest (weeks 19+): Stop watering completely
Overwatering Solutions
- Install soil moisture sensors at 6-inch depth
- Apply mulch to regulate surface evaporation
- Create drainage channels in clay soils
- Treat fungal outbreaks with neem oil drenches
Always test soil moisture to a depth of 6 inches before watering. Grab a handful of soil and squeeze it. The soil should loosely maintain its shape for a moment before crumbling apart. My heavy clay soils require 30% less water content in comparison to a sandy plot. Place simple rain barrels to collect water for reuse during dry periods and to help prevent soils from becoming over-saturated.
Read the full article: When to Harvest Garlic: Expert Tips for Perfect Timing
