Garlic Planting Guide for NC Zone 7 Understanding Softneck vs Hardneck Varieties

Garlic is a rewarding crop for gardeners in North Carolina’s Zone 7, offering fresh, flavorful bulbs that enhance countless dishes. However, choosing the right type of garlic and planting it properly can make a big difference in your harvest. This guide explains how to plant garlic in NC Zone 7, highlights the differences between softneck and hardneck varieties, and explains why softneck garlic tends to perform better in this region.

Softneck garlic bulbs prepared for planting in NC Zone 7 garden

Understanding Garlic Types: Softneck and Hardneck

Garlic comes in two main types: softneck and hardneck. Each has distinct characteristics that affect how well they grow in different climates.

Softneck Garlic

Softneck garlic (Allium sativum var. sativum) is the most common type found in grocery stores and home gardens. It has a flexible, soft stem that can be braided, making it popular for storage and display. Softneck varieties typically produce more cloves per bulb, often 10 to 20, arranged in multiple layers.

Key features of softneck garlic:

• Flexible, soft stems

• More cloves per bulb, smaller in size

• Longer shelf life, often lasting 6 to 8 months

• Better suited for mild winter climates like NC Zone 7

• Usually does not produce a flower stalk (scape)

  
  

Hardneck Garlic

Hardneck garlic (Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon) has a stiff, woody central stalk called a scape that grows through the center of the bulb. This type produces fewer cloves, usually 4 to 12, arranged in a single ring around the stalk. Hardneck garlic is known for its complex, robust flavor and produces flower stalks that can be harvested as a delicacy.

Key features of hardneck garlic:

• Rigid, woody central stalk (scape)

• Fewer, larger cloves per bulb

• Stronger, more complex flavor

• Produces flower stalks (scapes)

• Prefers colder climates with harsh winters

  
  

Why Softneck Garlic is Better for NC Zone 7

NC Zone 7 has a moderate climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. These conditions favor softneck garlic for several reasons:

• Winter Hardiness: Softneck garlic tolerates the milder winters of Zone 7 better than hardneck varieties, which require a longer, colder cold period to develop properly.

• Disease Resistance: Softneck garlic tends to resist fungal diseases common in humid climates better than hardneck types.

• Longer Storage: Softneck garlic’s longer shelf life suits gardeners who want to store bulbs for months after harvest.

• Higher Yield: Softneck varieties often produce more cloves per bulb, increasing overall yield.

  
  

Hardneck garlic can still be grown in Zone 7, but it may struggle with the warmer winters and humidity, resulting in smaller bulbs or reduced flavor quality.

When and How to Plant Garlic in NC Zone 7

Best Planting Time

Plant garlic in NC Zone 7 in the fall, usually between late September and early December. This timing allows cloves to establish roots before winter and develop strong bulbs by early summer.

Preparing the Soil

Garlic prefers loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Follow these steps:

• Choose a sunny location with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

• Work compost or aged manure into the soil to improve fertility.

• Ensure soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.0 for optimal growth.

• Avoid planting garlic in the same spot where onions, leeks, or other alliums were grown recently to reduce disease risk.

  
  

Planting Steps

1. Separate cloves: Break apart the garlic bulb into individual cloves, keeping the papery skins intact.

2. Select large cloves: Plant the largest, healthiest cloves for the best results.

3. Plant depth: Place cloves pointy side up, about 2-4 inches deep.

4. Spacing: Space cloves 4 to 6 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart.

5. Mulch: Cover the bed with 2 to 4 inches of straw or shredded leaves to protect cloves over winter and suppress weeds.

   
   

Watering and Care

• Water garlic regularly during the growing season, especially in spring, but avoid waterlogging.

• Remove weeds to reduce competition.

• Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer or compost tea in early spring as growth resumes.

• If growing hardneck varieties, remove scapes when they appear to encourage bulb growth.

  
  

Harvesting and Storing Garlic

Garlic is usually ready to harvest in early summer when the lower leaves turn brown but the upper leaves remain green. Follow these tips:

• Loosen soil gently with a garden fork to avoid damaging bulbs.

• Lift bulbs carefully and brush off excess soil.

• Cure garlic by hanging bulbs in a dry, well-ventilated area for 2 to 3 weeks.

• Store cured garlic in a cool, dry place with good air circulation. I pop mine in brown lunch bags with slits cut in them and put in my onion box.

  
  

Softneck garlic stores longer than hardneck, making it ideal for use throughout the year.

Popular Softneck Garlic Varieties for NC Zone 7

Here are some softneck varieties that thrive in Zone 7:

• California Early: Mild flavor, large bulbs, good for fresh use and storage.

• Inchelium Red: Rich flavor, purple-striped bulbs, good disease resistance.

• Silverskin: Strong flavor, excellent storage life, often used for braiding.

  
  

Troubleshooting Common Garlic Growing Issues

• Yellowing leaves: May indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiency.

• Small bulbs: Could result from planting too late or overcrowding.

• Fungal diseases: Avoid by ensuring good drainage and crop rotation.

• Pests: Watch for onion maggots and thrips; use row covers if needed.

Have you grown garlic? Here in NC or in another state? What other tips and tricks or questions do y'all have? Let me know in the comments.