Garlic can be useful in many ways, from enhancing a dish's flavor to just a fun plant to grow.There are many different ways to grow garlic, whether it's indoors, outdoors, or in water.All your problems will be solved by this guide.You will learn how to grow garlic.
Step 1: Find out when to plant garlic.
The best times for planting are mid-autumn or early spring.Garlic thrives in a wide range of climates.It doesn't do as well in areas of high heat or humidity.
Step 2: Prepare the soil by selecting a planting spot.
Garlic can tolerate partial shade if it's not for very long during the day or growing season.The soil needs to be well dug.Sandy loam is the best.You need to know what's already in your soil.You can get a soil sampling kit from your local county extension office.The soil should have good drainage.It's not a good idea to plant garlic on clay-based soils.Before planting garlic, add compost and manure to the soil.
Step 3: Look for fresh garlic.
All you need to start growing garlic is to buy fresh garlic.Choose garlic from a store, a farmers market, or a farm stand.It's important that the garlic bulbs are fresh and high quality.If you can, you should avoid garlic that has been sprayed with chemicals.Large cloves are a good choice for fresh garlic bulbs.The garlic has become soft.When figuring out how many heads to buy, keep in mind that each clove of garlic will grow into a garlic plant.It's great to use garlic that has sprouted at home.There are garlic bulbs for planting.If you want to get advice on local conditions for garlic, visit a nursery.Specific planting instructions for the type of seed you buy will be included in mail-order catalogs and online seed stores.
Step 4: The cloves should be broken from the fresh garlic head.
The cloves should not be damaged at their base, where they attach to the garlic plate.The garlic will not grow if the base is damaged.The cloves should be planted in larger quantities.The cloves that are smaller take up less space in the planting bed.
Step 5: Cloves should be pushed into the soil.
The cloves should be planted about 2 inches (5 cm) deep.For best growing conditions, the cloves should be 8 inches apart.
Step 6: The cloves need to be covered with mulch.
Hay, dry leaves, straw, compost, rotted manure, or rotted grass clippings are suitable.
Step 7: The cloves can be fertilized with compost.
The garlic needs to be fertilized at the time of planting.If you want to plant garlic in the fall or the spring, you need to fertilize it again.
Step 8: When needed, water the plants.
The garlic needs to be moist to help it grow.Garlic does not grow well in cold months and may even rot, so don't give it too much water.If rain doesn't fall, the water should be deep once a week.Garlic doesn't like wet soil so it's not necessary to water it.As the season warms up, gradually reduce the watering.The garlic needs a hot, dry summer to grow.
Step 9: Take care of pests.
The garlic may be eaten by insects, mice, and other creatures.Aphids seem to like garlic leaves and flower buds.You can get rid of them by rubbing your fingers over them or using a pesticide.The roses benefit from the aphids being drawn away if people plant garlic underneath them.Animals nest in mulch.If you have a problem with mice in your area, consider using plastic mulch or landscaping fabric.
Step 10: Take some scapes.
Green stalks called scapes will emerge as the garlic plants begin to grow.If you want, you can eat a few scapes.The young, tender shoot is the best part of the scape.Don't do it to every plant because it may damage the garlic bulbs.Gloves will keep your hands from smelling garlic for days.
Step 11: There are signs of readiness for harvesting.
When you feel the cloves in the bulb, the leaves will turn yellow or brown.Once the scapes start to dry, it is important to harvest the garlic or the head will "shatter" and divide into the individual cloves.Harvest at the end of the summer.Harvesting can continue into autumn in most places.It may be possible to harvest garlic earlier in warm climates.
Step 12: Use a shovel or garden fork to loosen the area around each bulb.
The bulbs need to be pulled out of the ground.Don't stab the bulbs underground if you use a fork.Garlic bruise easily, so be careful with the digging process.The plants should be hung up for two weeks to cure themselves.For curing, the ideal temperature is 80F.The clean skin below the flaky layers of the bulb can be brushed off once cured.Store the tops and roots in a dry place.It is possible that washing garlic will cause it to rot.The garlic will rot quickly if it is not cured.
Step 13: It's a good idea to keep garlic in a dry place in your home.
Individual cloves can be pulled off in a garlic keeper, which is usually made from pottery.
Step 14: You can braid or make a garlic plait.
You can hang the garlic bulbs in your pantry or kitchen if you keep the dried leaves back.This is both useful and decorative.
Step 15: Store garlic in some kind of liquid.
It is possible to keep garlic cloves in oil or vinegar.If you want to avoid the risk ofbacterial growth, keep in the refrigerator and consume quickly.