From Seed to Bulb: 10 Garlic Growth Stages

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Garlic is a bulb containing a central stem surrounded by cloves and a root at the bottom. It also has flat leaves and a basal plate that stores energy and nutrients. Garlic helps with immunity and has many health benefits, so it is worth exploring!

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Garlic is usually planted in the fall, about 4 to 6 weeks before the first frost date in your area. This allows the garlic to establish roots and shoots before the winter. Garlic can also be planted in the spring, as soon as the soil can be worked, but the bulbs may be smaller and less flavorful than fall-planted garlic.

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Stage 1. Planting

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Palm Leaf
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The roots will grow downward into the soil, anchoring the garlic plant and absorbing water and nutrients. The shoots will grow upward through the soil, forming green leaves that will photosynthesize and produce energy for the plant.

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Stage 2. Germination

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Palm Leaf
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garlic plant grows taller and produces more leaves. The number of leaves a garlic plant produces will determine the size and shape of its bulb. Each leaf corresponds to a layer of bulb wrapper that will protect the cloves inside.

Stage 3.  Vegetative Growth

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garlic plant starts to form its bulb underground by swelling its stem base and dividing it into cloves. Bulb development usually begins in early summer.

Stage 4.  Bulb Development

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