How to Plant Garlic

Gardeners who like to eat should definitely make garlic a staple in their kitchen gardens. Garlic is a member of the Allium family, which means it is related to onions, leeks, shallots and chives. By growing your own garlic, you have access to a huge number of varieties that aren't available in supermarkets. Garlic actually has a wide range of flavors and comes in a variety of colors including red, purple striped, silvery and pearly white. But the best part about garlic is it grows almost effortlessly. All you need is a sunny patch of rich soil and a healthy does of patience.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Garlic bulbs
• Hoe
• Garden fork
• Liquid fish emulsion fertilizer

1. First, choose which varieties of garlic you want to grow. Garlic is divided into two basic types: hardneck and softneck. Hardneck varieties grows best in climates with cold winters and develop a delicately flavored flower (also called a scape) in spring. Softneck varieties grow well in a range of climates, mature quickly, and are often more productive than hardnecks.

2. Plant garlic in the fall about four weeks before your soil typically freezes. Choose a spot with full sun (six to eight hours per day) and well-drained soil, such as a raised bed. You can also grow garlic in large whiskey barrel sized containers. Garlic takes eight to nine months to mature so choose a spot where it can grow undisturbed during that time period.

3. Plant the individual sections, or cloves, of the bulb. Each clove grows into a bulb. Discard any soft or shriveled cloves, as larger, plump, firm cloves develop into the best bulbs. Prior to planting, mix one tablespoon of baking soda in a quart jar of water and then soak the cloves in this solution for one hour to prevent fungal disease.

4. Using a hoe, make a two-inch deep furrow in the soil. Plant the cloves pointy end up, space them four to six inches apart and rows 12 to 18 inches apart. Bury the cloves two inches deep and then top the soil with a six-inch layer of organic mulch, such as shredded leaves or straw.

5. Green shoots should appear in about four to six weeks and then cease to grow during the winter months. When the garlic begins to actively grow in spring, pull back the mulch and top dress the soil with one inch of compost. Then, replace the mulch around the garlic to prevent weeds and to conserve soil moisture.

6. Garlic needs an inch of water per week during spring and summer growth, so you may need to water if Mother Nature doesn't provide enough rain. Spray the growing stalks with diluted fish emulsion every two weeks from the time growth resumes in spring through May.

7. Harvest the garlic in early summer when the bottom leaves begin to yellow. Use a garden fork to loosen the soil around the bulbs, being careful not to pierce them. Pull the bulbs up and gently remove any excess soil.

8. Lay the bulbs in a hot, dry, shaded place for two to three weeks to cure. Curing increases the length of time the bulbs will last in storage. You'll know the bulbs are ready for storage when the skins are papery dry and tight around the bulb. At this point, trim the roots and braid the stems or trim off all but 1 1/2 inches of the stem if you want to store your bulbs in ventilated plastic bags. Garlic lasts in storage for six to eight months, provided that you don't eat it all up before then!

Tips & Warnings

• If you grow hardneck varieties, remove the scapes around mid-June to encourage bigger bulbs.
• Try using garlic scapes in stir fries or chopped raw into salads.
• Don't grow garlic with bulbs from the super market. They may have been sprayed with a chemical that prevents the cloves from sprouting.

Resources

• Filaree Farm Organic Garlic
• DigginFood

[waiting4rain]

on 11/8/2008 Wintery climates should grow hard neck varieties well - try German Extra Hardy. It may be too late now to plant but plan for next year by finding a grower of Seed Garlic. Good luck!

[Greatfunmoms]

on 6/26/2008 Very interesting!

[meisler]

on 10/23/2007 I think I will continue to buy my garlic as I don't think I have a place to grow it. It sounds like it would not do well in a snowy climate. Thanks for the information. Great, helpful articles.

[avancinni]

on 10/23/2007 Where would I find the bulbs to plant if I shouldn't use the ones from the grocery store? Do you water them in the winter also? Sounds fun and it would be nice to have my own garlic to go with my home grown basil. Avancinni