FAQs

HOW MUCH SEED DO I NEED? 

On average, one pound of seed garlic will plant 20-25 row feet of garlic when planted with 6″ between cloves. Hardneck and softneck garlic bulbs have different sized cloves, so it differs a little based on what you are planting.
Each pound of hardneck seed garlic has from 35-50 cloves.  As each clove grows into its own plant and bulb of garlic, each pound will yield 35-50 garlic bulbs (approx 4-7 pounds).

FOR LARGER PLANTING AREAS

(Length of Rows)  x  (2 to 4 seeds per foot)  x  (Number of Rows)  /  (# of Seeds Per Pound)  =  Pounds Needed
Note that the # of Seeds Per Pound will always be an estimate due to variances in bulb sizes, bulbs per pound, and seeds per bulb…and therefore, seeds per pound.

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS

1. Number of Seeds per Row:  Multiply the length of your row by 2, as you will probably plant one seed every 5 to 6 inches. However, some sources suggest 3 to 5 inches for spacing, so adjust this number as per your preferred spacing. If you space your garlic every 3 inches, you should use the number “4” in the equation, for example.
2. Number of Rows: Some people plant a single row, with a 2 or 3-foot gap between each row (to allow for mulch or tilling for weed control). Others plant two rows a few inches apart, and then a 2 or 3-foot gap. Still, others will plant in more of a “bed” type situation, with 6 or 8 rows close together, and then a 2 or 3-foot gap between. Decide what will work best for your situation, and determine the number of rows you will have.
3. Total Number of Seeds Needed:  Determine how many seeds you will need for the length or your rows, and multiply by the number of rows you will fit into your area. For example, a 100′ row would have 200 or more seeds if they were spaced 5 to 6″ apart. If you have 100′-long rows and have 10 rows, then you would need 100 x 2 x 10 = 2000 seeds (length of row times seeds per foot times number of rows).
4. Calculate the Number of Pounds Needed:  After calculating your seed needs in terms of numbers comes the tricky part, because the different varieties have different numbers of cloves in each pound of seed. For example, some garlics have 4 seeds per bulb, while others have 20 or more seeds per bulb. Also, one variety might average 8 bulbs in a pound of large-sized garlic, while another might average 6 bulbs per pound, and another might require 12 bulbs to make a pound. Medium-sized garlic might have around 18 bulbs per pound. Once you decide on a variety, you can calculate seeds based upon those varieties’ average clove numbers per bulb and average bulbs per pound.

EXAMPLES

Using Music and Lorz as examples, and assuming a 6″ spacing:
Estimating Music:
  • Approximately 5 cloves per bulb, ~8 bulbs per pound equals 40 cloves per pound (cloves x bulbs per pound).
  • (your total number of cloves needed) divided by 40 equals how many pounds of Music you would need.
  • A 100′ row would require approximately 5 pounds of Music if planted 6″ apart.
  • Math: 100 x 2 seeds per foot = 200 seeds needed.   200 %  40 seeds per pound = 5 pounds of seed.
Estimating Lorz Italian:
  • ~10 to 18 cloves per bulb, but using 10 to estimate (planting the larger cloves helps result in a larger-bulbed harvest), ~8 bulbs per pound equals 80 cloves per pound.
  • (your total number of cloves needed) divided by 80 equals how many pounds of Lorz Italian you would need.
  • A 100′ row would require approximately 2.5 pounds of Lorz if planted 6″ apart.
  • Math: 100 feet x 2 seeds per foot = 200 seeds needed.  200 % 80 seeds per pound = 2.5 pounds.
Planting a 4″ spacing (3 seeds per foot) within the row would result in different seed needs:
Estimating Music:
  • Approximately 5 cloves per bulb, ~8 bulbs per pound equals 40 cloves per pound (cloves x bulbs per pound).
  • (your total number of cloves needed) divided by 40 equals how many pounds of Music you would need.
  • A 100′ row would require approximately 7.5 pounds of Music if planted 4″ apart.
  • Math: 100 x 3 seeds per foot = 300 seeds needed.   300 % 40 seeds per pound = 7.5 pounds of seed.
Estimating Lorz Italian:
  •  ~10 to 18 cloves per bulb, but using 10 to estimate (planting the larger cloves helps result in a larger-bulbed harvest), ~8 bulbs per pound equals 80 cloves per pound.
  • (your total number of cloves needed) divided by 80 equals how many pounds of Lorz Italian you would need.
  • A 100′ row would require approximately 4 pounds of Lorz if planted 4″ apart.
  • Math: 100 feet x 3 seeds per foot = 300 seeds needed.  300 % 80 seeds per pound = 4 pounds.

HOW TO STORE GARLIC

Stored properly, fresh garlic will last for months. Commercially, garlic is stored between 30 and 32 degrees.  In most households that is not possible.  Here are some other ideas on how to store garlic.
  • Bundle garlic in bundles of 8 to 12 bulbs by tying the stalks and hanging it, bulb down. Store garlic in a cool, dry place, with plenty of circulation, away from sunlight.
  • You can purchase a ‘garlic keeper’ or simply store it in a wire basket under a flower pot.
  • For a homespun display, you can braid softneck garlic stems together, adorned with ribbon and dried flowers, and hang it in your kitchen.

HOW ABOUT DEHYDRATING?

It’s easy and you’ll be amazed at how flavorful fresh garlic powder is compared to commercially purchased garlic powder.
  • Break the cloves apart.
  • Cut the root end of the clove (you may also peel the clove, but it is not necessary).
  • Lay the cloves in a single layer in your dehydrator and dehydrate for 16+ hour depending on your dehydrator and the size of the cloves.
  • The skins fall right off!
  • You can store whole cloves or grind them into powder.
  • Store in an airtight container. OR…
  • To make garlic salt, mix 3 parts salt and 1 part garlic.

GARLIC IN WINE OR VINEGAR

  • Peeled garlic cloves can be stored in wine or vinegar and refrigerated.
  • Garlic can be stored in this manner for about 4 months.
  • Discard if you see any signs of mold or yeast growth.

REFRIGERATION

  • While it can be done, refrigeration is not the best way to store your garlic because it changes its texture, flavor, and speeds germination.

FREEZING

  • Garlic can be stored in the freezer but keep in mind that freezing garlic changes its texture and flavor.
  • You can freeze entire bulbs and use individual cloves when you need them, OR
  • Peel, chop, and store in small Ziploc bags.  If you fill the bags lightly and freeze them flattened you can break off what you need later.

HOW NOT TO STORE FRESH GARLIC

  • Never store garlic in oil.  Garlic in oil can be kept in the refrigerator for a maximum of 2 weeks. After that, it can develop dangerous bacteria/toxins.
  • Garlic and oil at room temperature can cause dangerous toxins to form.

PEELING GARLIC

Here are some helpful hints to make peeling your cloves a little easier.
  • Blanch in boiling water for approximately 20 seconds, then drop into icy cold water. The skins will slip right through your fingers.
  • Place cloves in a glass of cool water for 30 minutes and the skins will come right off.
  • Using the old fashioned method, trim off the top and bottom of the clove and roll it between your fingers.
  • Trim off the bottom of the clove, place flat on your counter or cutting board, pop it with the flat end of a knife.
  • Purchase a ‘garlic tube’.  It’s basically a flat piece of silicone.  Wrap the cloves in the tube and roll it on the counter a few times.