Spring management of garlic is just in season.

As temperatures rise, garlic enters the green-up and regrowth stage; around the time of the vernal equinox, it reaches the “rotting‑mother” phase. Affected by consecutive periods of low temperatures and drought over the past winter and this spring, garlic growth has been hindered, resulting in poor seedling conditions. Consequently, after the onset of spring, proper water and fertilizer management becomes especially critical.

1. Apply green-up water and apply green-up fertilizer effectively.

(1) By the time of the spring equinox, garlic seedlings begin to green up and develop shoots. On a clear morning, apply a thorough “green-up” irrigation—using a heavy, rapid watering—to encourage early shoot emergence.

(2) In conjunction with irrigation, apply per mu 15–25 kg of “Yi Ba Zha” bio‑active humic acid fertilizer, or 15–20 kg per mu of Shui Run Tu humic acid water‑soluble fertilizer (20-0-0), along with 10–20 L of Gui Gen Dao Di.

(3) Thereafter, water should be appropriately restricted to promote root development and the differentiation of garlic scapes and bulbs.

2. Apply sufficient water to promote bolting, and apply heavy doses of bolting‑promoting fertilizer and head‑forming fertilizer.

(1) From late March to early April, flower buds and scale buds undergo rapid differentiation, gradually entering the stage of vigorous growth for garlic scapes and bulbs. During this period, leaf area reaches its maximum, and garlic scapes grow rapidly; proper management of fertilization and irrigation directly affects the yield of both scapes and bulbs. Timely watering is essential to meet the nutritional and water requirements of growing garlic.

(2) In conjunction with watering, apply 15–20 kg per mu of either a 22-8-10S active humic acid compound fertilizer or a 20-20-20 water-soluble soil conditioner. During this period, irrigate typically every 7–10 days.

(3) During the bolting stage of garlic, irrigate every 5–7 days and apply, via irrigation, a humic‑acid‑based nitrate‑sulfur compound fertilizer (e.g., 15‑5‑23) or a humic‑acid water‑soluble fertilizer (e.g., 16‑6‑36) once. Simultaneously, foliar spray with Heizefeng to enhance leaf function.

3. Apply ample swelling water and apply foliar fertilizer judiciously.

(1) After harvesting the flower stalks, the garlic bulbs enter a vigorous bulbing stage; care should be taken during harvest to protect the leaves and root system.

(2) After bolting, prioritize bulb enlargement and weight gain by irrigating promptly and foliar‑applying the fertilizer “Huangjinlu” to prevent premature senescence of garlic leaves, extend the functional period of the foliage, reduce the incidence of malformed bulbs, and promote the translocation of nutrients to the bulb, thereby maximizing biomass accumulation.

(3) Keep the soil moist to meet garlic’s water requirements during the later growth stages.

(4) Stop watering about one week before harvesting the garlic.