Garlic is one of the easiest and most satisfying crops you can grow in the Lehigh Valley. It takes very little effort, handles cold winters like a champ, and rewards you with bold, fresh flavor that store-bought garlic can’t compete with. Best of all, it thrives in Zone 6 when planted and cared for correctly.
Here’s a simple, reliable guide for growing great garlic right in your backyard.
Choosing the Right Garlic Variety
Not all garlic is the same. Some varieties thrive in cold climates, while others stand out for flavor, storage, or size.
At Herbein’s Garden Center in Emmaus, PA, you can find excellent garlic varieties suited for the Lehigh Valley, including:
- German Red – Rich, full-bodied flavor, especially great for roasting
- Inchelium Red – Mild and slightly sweet, perfect for everyday cooking
- Kranddasger Red – Strong, classic garlic bite with excellent cold hardiness
- Music – A popular hardneck variety known for big cloves and bold flavor
- Purple Glazer – Beautiful purple-striped bulbs with a spicy kick
- Elephant – Technically a leek relative, but prized for its huge cloves and mild taste
- Transylvanian – Hardy and reliable, with strong flavor and excellent storage
These varieties give you plenty of options depending on whether you prefer mild, spicy, or extra-large bulbs.
When to Plant Garlic in the Lehigh Valley
In Zone 6, the best time to plant garlic is mid-to-late-October. Garlic needs cold exposure to trigger proper bulb development. The cloves root before winter, go dormant, and then explode with growth in spring.
Planting too early can cause unwanted top growth. Planting too late risks poor root establishment. Aim for a window when soil temperatures drop below 60°F but before the ground freezes. Check your local soil temperatures here: GreenCast Soil Temperature Map, and remember that soil temperature is different from air temperature!
How to Plant Garlic
Garlic grows best in loose and fertile, well-drained soil.
1. Break the bulb into individual cloves just before planting. Keep the papery skins intact.
2. Plant cloves pointed end up, about 2-3 inches deep.
3. Space cloves 6 inches apart, with rows about 12 inches apart.
4. Cover with soil and water well.
After planting, apply 3-4 inches of mulch such as straw or shredded leaves. This protects the cloves during winter and helps regulate soil temperature.
Spring and Summer Care
Once spring arrives, garlic takes off quickly.
Watering:
Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. About 1 inch of water per week is ideal during active growth.
Fertilizing:
Garlic is a heavy feeder. Apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer in early spring and again a few weeks later.
Scapes
Hardneck garlic varieties will produce curly flower stalks called scapes in early summer. Cut these off when they curl to redirect energy into bulb growth. As a bonus, scapes are edible and delicious!
When and How to Harvest
Garlic is usually ready to harvest in late June through mid-July.
You will know it is ready when the bottom 2-3 leaves turn brown and the upper leaves are still green.
Loosen the soil with a garden fork and gently lift the bulbs. Do not pull by the stalk alone, as this can damage the bulbs.
The Lehigh Valley’s cold winters and warm, humid summers are ideal for garlic. The freeze-thaw cycle actually helps the cloves develop stronger, larger bulbs. With very little work, you can enjoy a high-yield crop every year.
For the best quality seed garlic, visit Herbein’s Garden Center in Emmaus, PA. They carry an excellent selection of varieties, and their staff can help you pick the right varieties for your garden and growing goals, whether you want storage garlic, cooking garlic, or extra-large bulbs.
Garlic is one of the most beginner-friendly crops you can grow in Zone 6, and it is perfectly suited to the Lehigh Valley. Plant in fall, mulch well, give it sunlight and water, and you will be harvesting beautiful, flavorful garlic by summer.
Once you grow your own, you will never want to go back to store-bought garlic!
