Part 6/8:
Once your garlic is planted, cover the area with a layer of mulch, preferably leaves, to insulate the soil during the winter months. This insulation helps protect these tender shoots and encourage root development before the coldest weather arrives. If you reside in a particularly cold climate, a thicker layer of mulch—around 2 inches (5 cm)—will provide extra warmth and protect your developing plants.
As spring approaches and temperatures rise, it’s important to manage weed growth and keep the soil consistently moist—but not saturated. Senior garlic gardeners agree too much water at this stage can cause problems, so maintain a careful balance as the plants mature.