Growing Allium sativum in Wisconsin can be a rewarding experience for any nurseryman . With the proper conditions and knowledge , a garlic harvest can thrive in the dusty Wisconsin climate . Garlic is a fearless plant that is comparatively easy to grow and can be used in a variety of dishes . It is an first-class addition to any garden for its flavor and its legion wellness benefits . With some know - how , anyone can originate their own ail in Wisconsin and enjoy the sense of taste and health benefits it provides .
Wisconsin’s climate and hardiness zones
Wisconsin has a humid continental mood , with live summers , cold-blooded wintertime , and abundant precipitation throughout the year . The average annual temperature for the state is around 40 degrees Fahrenheit . Winters are insensate , with intermediate temperature ranging from 10 to 20 degree Fahrenheit , while summer are warm to hot , with average temperature in the 70s and 80s .
The USDAHardiness Zones for Wisconsinrange from Zone 3a in the northerly part of the state to Zone 5b in the southward . Zone 3a experiences temperature as low as -35 degrees Fahrenheit , while Zone 5b experience temperatures as downhearted as -15 degrees Fahrenheit .
Wisconsin experiences all four seasons , with bound and fall ply mild temperatures and abundant rain . Summer and winter are the most extreme seasons , with temperatures ranging from spicy and humid to below - freezing . Snow is common during the wintertime month and thunderstorms are frequent during the spring and summer .

When to plant spring garlic in Wisconsin
Garlic can be planted in the spring or fall in Wisconsin . For spring planting garlic , you will want to purchase some gamy - quality Allium sativum appetiser bulbs . you’re able to imbed ail you obtain in the store , but select Syzygium aromaticum that are specifically made for growing will yield well result .
When select ail , you require to check that the bulbs are firm and have no visible signs of decay . Any electric light which are mushy Once you have your lightbulb , you will necessitate to part the cloves and establish them in the reason .
Garlic can be planted outside once the conditions has warm up and the soil can be work on . It ’s among the earliest crops you may sow in the fountain . When planting garlic , check that to space the clove at least 6 inches apart in a gay area with well - drained soil . establish the clove two in deep in the soil so that the pointed end is facing up . Water the garlic regularly and keep it devoid of weeds .
you may mulch your spring - plant ail with dry leaves or chaff to help retain moisture and suppress the development of weeds . Garlic plant in the spring in Wisconsin wo n’t have as much metre to grow as drop planted garlic , so your harvest in the fall may yield slimly smaller light bulb .
elderly manure , compost , and freshrabbit manureare all great things to add at this time . I keep rabbits for their manure and always throw on a nice stratum of rabbit manure when set fall ail .
When to plant fall garlic in Wisconsin
Some gardeners think plantinggarlic in the fallin Wisconsin to be advantageous because it allow the garlic bulb to get a head part on the raise time of year . In nightfall , they ’ll begin to put down root but likely wo n’t get off up any growth . Those early solution are important for the industrial plant ’s development . As soon as the grunge is warm enough to spur newfangled ontogeny , your garlic bulbs will be ready to rock and roll .
The exact timing for planting fall garlic will bet on your climate zone . The old - fashioned dominion of quarter round is to plant them right after the autumn equinoctial point in September , but if you exist in a very inhuman climate , you may want to get them in the terra firma a little bit before this appointment . If you live in a affectionate clime , you could likely wait all the way until the heart of October to get them set out . Knowing your mood is fundamental to knowing when precisely to plant your declension ail .
Planting garlic is extremely easy . If you ’ve purchased bulbs from a nursery , you ’re go to want to very cautiously break up up the bulb and gratis all of the Eugenia caryophyllatum . Do n’t get too fast-growing ! You do n’t want to bankrupt any of the bulb by stroke . Gently rubbing them between your hands should liberate the case-by-case cloves .
cut into hole in a words three column inch deep and six inches apart from one another . cautiously drop the cloves of garlic into each jam with the pointed side pointing up . Press them mildly into the grunge . Do n’t jam them in too hard or deep . track the bulbs with an even stratum of dirt .
Aged manure , compost , and wise rabbit manure are all great thing to add at this time . I keep rabbits for their manure and always throw on a skillful stratum of rabbit manure when set tumble garlic .
Caring for garlic plants
Soil : Garlic plants need nourishing - copious , well - debilitate soil to boom . better the grunge with plenty of organic material such as compost or aged manure before plant . Garlic does n’t do well in compacted , the Great Compromiser soils , so be sure to loosen up the dirt !
sun : Garlic needs at least 6 hr of direct sunlight each day , but preferably 8 - 10 hour of sunlight day by day . Choose a location that beget plenty of sunlight . Insufficient sunshine may result in ail that does n’t flourish or produce bulbs .
Water : Garlic plant life involve between 0.5 and 1 inch of water supply per week , with idealistic drainage in the soil . If there is not enough rain to reach this amount , it is necessary to water the plants manually to make up for it . check that to water deep and infrequently , as too little or too much water can be negative to the plants – too little can have stress , and too much can run to bulb putrefaction .
Fertilizer : senior manure , compost , and freshrabbit manureare all majuscule , natural plant food to provide your garlic bulbs . It ’s good to provide these once at the time you imbed your garlic bulbs .
When to harvest garlic in Wisconsin
The precise timing for when fall garlic is quick to be harvested in Wisconsin varies . Typically they ’re ready to harvest in previous summertime to mid - fall . The timing does n’t matter as much as the visual aspect of the crop . You jazz it ’s sentence to harvest your fall ail when its lower third leaves have turned browned and die , but its upper foliage is still courteous and green .
It can be a little hard to know for certain that it ’s time to harvest your ail , but in the main , if those bottom leaves are brown , it ’s time to glean . If they ’re still immature , it ’s too early . There will be some green foliage at the top of the plants , but do n’t let that fool you . If those lower leaves are brown , it ’s time to get down in the ground and dig up that Allium sativum !