Garlic bulb size depends on many factors, such the variety grown, seed stock, soil structure and fertility, planting time, temperature, water, sunshine, harvest criteria, etc.

For large bulbs, start with a large variety such as a Porcelain type (Music, German White, German Extra Hardy, Romanian Red, etc.). Buy large seed garlic (2.5"+) and plant the largest cloves from the largest bulbs. Select a garden space with full sunshine and good drainage and till the soil with a balanced organic fertilizer at a rate of 75 pounds of elemental Nitrogen per acre, or better yet get a soil analysis and follow the lab's recommendations for your soil. Plant in the fall from early October to early November for Zone 5, spacing the cloves 6" within a row and 12" between the rows in order to give them room to expand and maximum sunlight. Then apply a thick soft mulch such as grass clippings, shredded leaves, straw, etc. to protect them from freezing damage over your cold winter.

When the plants emerge above the mulch in the early spring, feed the plants with a high nitrogen fertilizer such a blood meal at a rate of 50 pounds of elemental Nitrogen per acre. This can be sprinkled on top of the mulch. Feed again at a rate of 50 lbsN/ac in mid/late April and stop. If you leave the mulch on as I do, watering is only necessary after an extended dry period. Otherwise water as necessary. Keep the garlic bed weed free - garlic does not compete well with weeds. Your objective is to grow the green and let the green grow the bulb.

If you grow hardnecks, remove the scapes when they are about 12-18" long - leaving the scapes on will take energy from the bulb and usually results in smaller bulbs. Harvest when the bottom leaves are yellow/brown but there are still 3-5 mostly green leaves at the top. Brush clean the bulbs (not with water) and cure them for 4-6 weeks protected from rain and sun. Then cut off the leaves to about 2" from the bulb, trim the roots to about 1/2", and store them in a cool place with moderate humidity such as a cellar.

There is a lot of information on growing garlic online, and some really good books such a "Growing Great Garlic" by Ron Engeland, and "The Complete Book of Garlic" by Ted Jordan Meredith. Plus we are happy to answer any questions!

Here is a photo of my garlic this year, most of which is 2.5-3.0".

Tom