How do you grow garlic for beginners? – Comprehensive Guide
Mid-October to late October is the best time to plant garlic. The garlic should be planted in the ground at the end of the first frost, but not before the ground freezes. The soil should be warm to allow roots to develop. However, the air temperature should cool down so bulbs don’t germinate.
Garlic doesn’t cost much to grow, and it isn’t very expensive to buy. Garlic cultivars are different from the ones you find in supermarkets. They also have different flavors. Some varieties are hot and some are pungent while others are milder or spicier. There are many varieties to choose from that will complement the food you love to cook.
- Garlic doesn’t require much space and is very easy to grow. Garlic is planted after other crops have finished so it won’t take up too much space in your garden. This vegetable is a great example of patience. It can take up to nine months for a crop to be ready.
- Allium sativum, which is also known as garlic, is part of the allium family. Each clove of garlic, which is the part we eat, is actually a bulb. When planted, it becomes a head.
- It takes approximately 8 to 9 months for a small, planted clove of garlic to become a ready-to-harvest head. That means that you can grow a whole baby at the same time as a head of garlic.
Hardneck Vs Softneck Garlic
There are two types: hardneck and softneck garlic. There are subgroups that include dozens of named varieties, each with its own hardiness, flavor, and storage time.
Hardneck Garlic
Hardneck garlic is named after the hard stalk running through the middle of the bulb. Although individual bulbs contain fewer cloves per bulb than softneck, they are easier to peel. It is more flavorful. It can be stored for three to four months.
Hardneck garlic is more resistant to cold than softneck. There are three main types: Rocambole has a strong garlic flavor and is easy to peel. Purple Stripe cultivars have purple streaks or pink streaks and are great for baking or roasting. Porcelain, the brightest of the three whites, has large cloves and is the longest-lasting hardneck.
This garlic type produces a “scape”, a flowering stalk that bears mild garlicky flavors. It can be eaten much like a scallion. To keep the growing energy concentrated within the bulb, many growers recommend removing the scape.
Softneck Garlic
Softneck garlic is what you will find in supermarkets. Because the stalk is soft, flexible, and easy to braid it gives its name. Cloves are smaller than hardneck varieties, but they are still more common. They can be stored for six to eight months.
Although softneck is more suited to warmer climates, you can still find varieties that are bred for northern regions. There are two types of softneck. Silverskins are brightly colored and can keep their cloves for up to one year. Some artichoke varieties can contain up to 20 cloves per bulb. The flowering scape of softneck garlic is not common.
Soil for growing garlic
Soil It is important that the soil be well-drained and rich in nutrients, but loose and free from weeds. If possible, add compost to the soil before you plant it. The pH should range from 6.5 to 7.0. Avoid planting in waterlogged soil or areas where there is excess moisture. Otherwise, the bulbs may rot. Ideal are raised beds.
Garlic should not be planted in areas where allium relatives (onions and shallots, leeks, etc.) have been grown for at least three years to reduce the risk of diseases and pests.
Does garlic need full sun?
Consider that garlic thrives in full sunlight with well-drained and light soil when choosing the right spot.
Select a site with full sun. Separate each clove from its bulb by removing the outer papery skin. Place the pointed end of the cloves in the ground, about one-to two inches from the surface. Place cloves 3 to 6 inches apart.
Does garlic need a lot of water?
Water Garlic needs approximately one inch of water per week while actively growing in spring. Reduce the amount of water you use about a month before harvest. This will prevent the bulbs from splitting or rotting.
Too much water can damage plants and cause them to become stressed. Garlic needs between one and half inches of water per week in soil that has good drainage. Supplemental watering is recommended if it rains less that a half-inch per week. It is better to water deeply, but not often.
How to care for garlic plant
Mulch should be applied after the plants have been planted with a few inches straw or chopped leaves. Garlic is not a good competitor to weeds so don’t allow weeds to grow more than an inch.
What month do you harvest garlic?
The garlic will begin to grow green next spring. You should expect it to be ready for harvest in June or July. It will be ready to harvest when approximately fifty percent of its leaves are yellowed or brown, and they have fallen over.
The bulbs should not be pulled out of the ground. Use a garden fork to gently lift the bulbs from the ground. Be careful not to spear them. This is best done on a dry day. You should immediately take the garlic from direct sunlight to avoid sunburn.
Curing Garling
Before you can eat garlic, it must be dried in the sun and kept dry. You can remove any soil that is clinging around the roots but not wash the bulbs. The bulb’s shelf life will be reduced if the wrapper is removed. The garlic can be used after four to six weeks.
After the garlic has been cured, keep it in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life. Garlic that is not refrigerated will sprout quicker. However, don’t use all of it. Keep some cloves for next fall planting!
Why not buy bulbs at the supermarket instead?
The majority of garlic that is now commercially available comes from California or China. They may have been treated with chemicals to prevent the bulbs from sprouting and deter insects. Even if your garlic sprouts, it might not produce good clove formation because it isn’t the right variety for your area. Ordering garlic specifically grown for planting will give you better results. Online seed companies often sell garlic bulbs also known as seed garlic.
It’s a satisfying feeling to grow a crop that can last for years.