Don't Let Hidden Mites Wreck Your Fall Planting

Planting Garlic & Bulbs This Fall: How to Stop Hidden Pests Before They Start

September marks the beginning of one of the most exciting times for growers and gardeners—fall planting season. This is when garlic, onions, and many flowering bulbs go into the ground, preparing to overwinter and reward you with a strong harvest or beautiful blooms next spring and summer.

But while you’re focused on planting for the future, there may already be an unseen threat hiding in your bulbs. The truth is, some of the most damaging pests arrive before you even put your garlic or onion sets into the soil. Luckily, there’s a simple, organic step you can take to protect your investment and set your plants up for success.

Why Fall Planting Matters

Fall planting gives many crops and bulbs a head start. Garlic cloves and onion sets spend the cooler months developing strong root systems, which allows them to burst into rapid growth once spring arrives. Similarly, spring- and summer-flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils, or lilies rely on a cold period underground to bloom brilliantly in the warm months.

When done right, fall planting is one of the best ways to get healthier, more resilient plants and earlier harvests. But pests can quickly derail these benefits if they sneak in during the planting process.

The Hidden Enemy: Bulb Mites

Many growers are surprised to learn that Eriophyid and Acarid mites often arrive already inside the bulbs purchased from seed suppliers. These pests are almost invisible to the naked eye, but their damage becomes obvious later on.

Mites can:

• Stunt early plant growth by feeding on tender tissue
• Cause rotting or desiccation in storage (appearing as brown stripes, sunken spots, or shriveled cloves when peeling garlic)
• Sever the radical—the very first root that emerges—preventing germination altogether

By the time you notice the symptoms, it’s usually too late to save the bulb. That’s why prevention is so critical.

A Proven Organic Solution

Fortunately, you don’t need to rely on harsh chemicals to protect your garlic and bulbs. The answer is simple: a pre-planting soak in Cinnerate®, an organic miticide/fungicide trusted by growers for over 15 years.

Cinnerate works by breaking down the soft-bodied pests and their eggs before they can damage your seed stock. By soaking bulbs before planting, you greatly reduce the risk of introducing mites into your soil and ensure that your plants start strong.

How to Soak Garlic & Bulbs in Cinnerate

Here’s a straightforward method growers have used successfully:

1. Mix the solution
• Use a 5–10% dilution of Cinnerate in water.
• For example, a 10% solution is:
• 32 oz Cinnerate
• 288 oz water
• Total = 2.5 gallons

2. Soak the bulbs

• Submerge garlic cloves, onion sets, or flowering bulbs for 30 minutes.
• Make sure the solution fully covers the bulbs.

3. Plant as usual

• After soaking, bulbs can be planted directly into the soil following your normal fall planting routine.

One leading organic garlic seed company reports excellent results with this method—specifically soaking in a 10% Cinnerate solution for 30 minutes. They’ve seen noticeably healthier plants and fewer storage issues compared to untreated bulbs.

Tips for Choosing Quality Garlic & Bulbs

Soaking helps prevent pests, but starting with good seed stock is equally important. Here are a few tips:

• Buy from reputable suppliers who specialize in garlic and organic bulbs.
• Check for firm, healthy cloves or bulbs—avoid any with soft spots or visible mold.
• Know your hardiness zone (use the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map) to choose varieties that overwinter well in your region.

By pairing quality seed with preventative soaking, you’ll give your garlic and bulbs the best chance at thriving.

Beyond Garlic: Other Uses for Cinnerate

While garlic is the star of fall planting, Cinnerate’s benefits extend far beyond. It’s a broad-spectrum organic miticide/fungicide that can be used on a wide variety of crops to control pests and diseases while supporting a balanced ecosystem.

Whether you’re managing a commercial organic farm or tending a backyard garden, Cinnerate can help keep plants strong, resilient, and productive without compromising soil health or beneficial organisms.

The Takeaway

Fall planting is a time of optimism—each clove and bulb tucked into the soil carries the promise of food and beauty in the months ahead. But hidden pests can undermine all that work if left unchecked.

By taking a simple preventative step—soaking bulbs in Cinnerate before planting—you can:

• Stop mites before they spread
• Reduce storage losses
• Ensure stronger germination and growth
• Protect your time, effort, and harvest

This season, give your garlic and bulbs the best possible start. It only takes 30 minutes to protect months of future growth.

Plant smart. Soak first. Grow stronger.