How to Grow Garlic
Instruction & Advice for Growing Garlic Bulbs
in Your Vegetable Garden
| Nutrition | Watering Instructions | Harvesting |
| Climate | Fertilizing Instructions | Storage |
| Soil | Challenges | Tips |
| Planting |
Garlic is a very popular perennial vegetable, grwon for its bulbs. It generally grows to 2 or 3 feet tall (but other varieties, like elephant garlic grows to 5 feet in height). Garlic cloves grow in a compact group beneath the soil and are covered with a papery shell.
Garlic plants tend to repel insects from other vegetables and even have properties that deter plant diseases.
It is a useful companion plant for fruit trees, tomatoes, and roses. (For more information, review: companion gardening.) Garlic spray is a common ingredient in organic gardening insectisides. Planting garlic near your raspberries or roses is reported to repel Japanese Beetles.
Garlic cloves, when crushed, provide a chemical (allicin) that helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and helps prevent blood clots. Garlic can also reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Compounds in this bulb kill many organisms including bacteria and viruses that can cause earaches, flus and colds. Garlic is also reputed to be effective against digestive ailments and diarrhea.
Nutrition Information:
Garlic is a healthy gardening
powerhouse! It contains selenium, phosphorus, calcium, Manganese, Vitamins C & B6.
Climate & Growing Conditions: (back to top)
Like onions, this root vegetable can be grown in most climates. It is frost resistant and will grow best in full sun.
How to Prepare the Garden Soil: (back to top)
Garlic will grow at it's very best in soil that is a well-drained sandy loam with humus. However, they will grow in most soils. The looser the soil in your garlic bed, the bigger your bulbs will grow.
A soil pH level of approx 6.0 provide optimal gardening for this vegetable. (Instructions: How to test your garden soil pH level.) Keep the garden bed free of weeds.
How to Plant Garlic: (back to top)
In warm gardening zones, plant the cloves (separated from the bulb) in spring or summer. In very hot garden climates, plant garlic in the winter. In cold gardening climates, sow garlic in the spring.
Plant the garlic cloves (separated from the bulb, blunt end down) 1 1/2" deep, directly into the ground. Space them at 6" apart and make the rows 1' apart.
How to Water: (back to top)
During germination, kKeep the garden soil moist, but not too wet. As the plant matures, cut back on watering, to only when the soil begins to show signs of drying out. (If you water them too much, the bulbs may rot. Even if they don't, they won’t store well.)
Gardening Challenges: (back to top)
Garlic is relatively problem free.
How to Harvest Garlic: (back to top)
Harvest the garlic bulbs when the flower dies and the leaves begin to turn yellow.
Gardening Advice Tip: If you prepfer to harvest when the plant is in full bloom, bend the stems in half. Let them sit that way in your gardening plot for about a week and a half.
Don't water the garlic bed for two weeks prior to harvest. Take the bulbs out of the ground with a fork, being careful not to damage the bulbs.
Storage: How to freeze Garlic (back to top)
Place garlic cloves, separated from bulbs in freezer bags. Remove any excess air from bag, seal and label. Freeze garlic for up to 3 months.
Storage: Cold Storage & Cured Garlic (back to top)
Cured garlic is typically seen displayed in kitchens on attractive braids. Cure your garlic by banding it in bunches (with leaves attached), or braiding several together. Hang the garlic bunches in a dark, dry place with good air ventilation for a couple of weeks to dry.
Cured garlic can be stored in a cold cellar, just as you would onions.
Storage: How to Dehydrate / Dry Garlic (back to top)
Use firm cloves without bruises. Peel cloves and cut in half. Remove the sprout in the middle. Dry at 100 degrees (F) for about 6 hours or until crisp. To rehydrate, soak in cold water for about 3 hours in the fridge and drain. To make garlic powder, grind the dried garlic in a blender or seed grinder. For garlic salt, mix ground dried garlic with 4 parts salt.
Gardening Advice Tips (back to top)
Have a helpful gardening tip (or even a fun story) to share about your garlic growing experience? Share it with us at: gardeningtips@howtogardenadvice.com
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