'Winter watering' for garlic (also called 'freeze-sealing water') is a crucial step in pre-winter management, as it affects whether the garlic can safely survive the winter and achieve high yields the following year. The following are the conditions and precautions for winter watering garlic.👇
🌿 一、The main purpose of watering for overwintering
Prevent frost damage: Moderately moist soil can retain warmth and prevent garlic sprouts from freezing.
Stable soil temperature: reduces the temperature difference between day and night, preventing soil compaction and cracking.
Promote root development: Roots absorb enough water before winter, which is beneficial for greening in the following spring.
🌤 二、Specific conditions for watering during winter
✅ 1. Time condition
General timing: Conduct 5–7 days before the soil begins to freeze.
Local reference time:
Northern China (such as Henan, Shandong, Hebei): late November to early December.
Huang-Huai Plain: mid to late November.
Yangtze River Basin: mid to late December.
Northeast region: It should be advanced to late October to early November.
⏰ Criteria: The best time is when daytime temperatures remain stable below 5°C, light frost occurs at night, but the soil has not yet completely frozen.
✅ 2. Soil conditions
Soil moisture requirements:
It is best for the soil to be moist but not waterlogged.
If you hold a handful of soil, it can clump together, but if you release it, it lightly falls apart.
Terrain requirements:
Low-lying areas and heavy clay soils should be watered cautiously or sparingly to prevent water accumulation and frost damage.
Dry land and sandy loam can be watered somewhat more.
✅ 3. Weather conditions
Choose a sunny day with no wind or a light breeze and slightly higher temperatures to water.
Avoid:
Before and after continuous rainy days or the arrival of a cold wave.
Watering at night (can easily cause freezing and damage the seedlings).
🚜 三、Watering Methods and Precautions
Water sufficiently but not excessively: it is advisable to water thoroughly to a soil depth of 20–25 cm.
Seal immediately after watering: Loosen the soil or cover with straw or wheat stalks promptly after watering to retain moisture and prevent freezing.
Garlic covered with plastic mulch: generally does not need overwintering irrigation, or only requires a small amount of additional water.
If there is abundant rainfall and sufficient soil moisture in autumn, irrigation can be appropriately delayed or skipped.
🌱 四、Post-winter irrigation management
Inspect the field drainage ditches to prevent frost heave and water accumulation.
If there is a cold wave warning, you can cover with straw, non-woven fabric, or other materials for protection against the cold.
Next year, after the regreening, water should be applied promptly according to the soil moisture conditions.
🧄 Garlic Cultivation Management Calendar for Major Production Regions in Mainland China
| Period / Month | North China (Shandong, Hebei, Northern Henan) | Huang–Huai Region (Central & Southern Henan, Northern Jiangsu, Northern Anhui) | Middle & Lower Yangtze River Region (Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Zhejiang) | Southwest Region (Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou) |
| Late August – Early September | Land preparation, base fertilization, garlic clove selection and drying | Land preparation, base fertilization | Land preparation and fertilization | Land preparation and fertilization |
| Mid to Late September | Sowing (early areas: mid-Sept) | Sowing (main period) | Land preparation, sprouting | Sowing (plateau regions) |
| Early – Mid October | Sowing peak, seedling emergence | Sowing, seedling management | Sowing (southern regions) | Seedling management |
| Late October – Early November | Checking seedlings, weeding, loosening soil | Checking seedlings, weeding | Seedling management | Weeding, soil loosening |
| Mid – Late November | 🌊 Winter Irrigation (“Freezing Water”) Cover with straw or mulch for frost protection | 🌊 Winter Irrigation (Late November) | Minimal irrigation depending on temperature | Moderate irrigation to promote root growth |
| December – February (next year) | Winter protection and moisture retention | Frost protection and moisture retention | Insulation and frost prevention | Drought and frost management |
| Early – Mid March | Green-up stage: first irrigation (“revival water”), nitrogen topdressing | Green-up stage: topdressing and weeding | Green-up stage: topdressing, weeding | Green-up management |
| Early – Mid April | Scape emergence: topdressing, irrigation | Scape management and pest control | Fertilization and disease control | Fertilization and pest management |
| Late April – Mid May | Garlic scape harvest | Garlic scape harvest | Garlic scape harvest | Garlic scape harvest |
| Late May – Mid June | Bulb enlargement stage: control irrigation to prevent cracking | Bulb enlargement: water control, drying | Bulb enlargement | Bulb enlargement |
| Mid – Late June | Harvesting, drying, grading | Harvesting and drying | Harvesting | Harvesting |
📌 Notes
Timing of Winter Irrigation (“Freezing Water”)
North China: Late November is critical.
Huang–Huai: Mid to late November.
Yangtze River Region: Usually mild, light irrigation or none.
Southwest: Focus on drought prevention rather than frost.
When to Skip Winter Irrigation
If autumn rainfall is sufficient and soil moisture is good.
Garlic under plastic mulch usually does not require additional winter irrigation.