How to Grow Garlic
Garlic is used in so many recipes and it can be easily grown. Garlic is not only a central flavoring to many dishes, but, because of its high sulphur content, it is a powerful general antibiotic and has been touted as a medical cure for many illnesses. Here's how to grow it.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Garlic is usually grown from cloves rather than seed. You can buy a full bulb of garlic from the grocery store and will likely have some success by dividing up the cloves and planting them about 6" apart. If you want to grow the milder but larger 'elephant garlic' just treat the cloves of this unique variety the same as other garlic but double the distance between plants. Check out specialty catalogs to order some of the more interesting varieties; garlic that is best grown in your local area, or for more information on pink varieties, hardneck and softneck varieties.
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The trick to growing a good garlic bulb is to get the plant to grow a lot of leaves. Cooler weather is when the most leaves are produced. Hot weather encourages the development of the bulb. So it stands to reason that the earlier you can get your cloves into frost-free soil, the bigger your garlic bulb will grow.
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In milder climates, plant garlic in the autumn and in colder climates plant it as soon as it's safe in the spring.
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Heavy clay soil, stones and allowing soil to dry out will encourage misshapen bulbs. Grow garlic in rich soil kept reasonably moist (not wet).
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Plant about an inch deep and keep well watered throughout the season as garlic has only a small root system. Pinch out flower-heads if they form. When the leaf tips begin turning brown a few inches down, you can start digging your garlic. Be careful not to spear it with a fork and don't try pulling it out by the top.
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Let the bulbs dry in the shade and peel off any soil or loose covering. Store them in a cool (not cold) and dry place away from light to discourage sprouting or rotting.
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Then pull out your favorite Italian recipe and get cookin'!
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Comments
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derbyka
Mar 17, 2009
I can't wait to try this. -
greenbabby
Feb 16, 2009
sounds like a plan
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greenbabby
Feb 16, 2009
sounds like a plan
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Meri Rees
Feb 06, 2009
You've inspired me to grow it...
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MIghtyDreamer
Feb 06, 2009
You know what, I've reading this article on how to grow garlic, I'm going to try and grow some myself for the fun of it to see the how the leaves turn out and if it has a scent to it. hmmm... thanks for these tips on growing garlic.
