Growing Garlic: How Do I Grow Garlic ?This page listed under Vegetable Gardening Growing garlic Garlic is known under its latin name Allium sativum and it is in the onion family. Garlic is known not only for its culinary uses but also for its medicinal attributes. In the United States, there are two predominant types that most people want to grow, and that is Hardneck garlic and Softneck garlic. The Hardneck varieties are the ones that produce a flower stalk. Of the Hardneck and Softneck garlic there are approximately ten different varieties. Some of the more well known hardneck varieties are "Asiatic," Creole," "Glazed Purple Stripe," "Marbled Purple Stripe," "Porcelain," "Purple Stripe," "Rocambole," as well as the "Turban." Within the softneck varieties will be found the Artichoke, and the Silverskin. The characteristics of the particular plants that seed cloves come from are not always called by the same name, which has led to tremendous confusion. However you will be happy to learn that there is a remedy to be found at the end of the next paragraph!
There are a tremendous amount of differences in each area that will only work within that geographic area, thus the seed cloves absolutely must be local and planted locally. Even a dissimilarity of altitude makes a substantial difference, as will how close the seed cloves were to the sea, mountain rain shadow and all kinds of other climatic variations. Be sure and ask the supplier for the type of garlic others are growing in your local area and especially do not hesitate to speak with knowledgeable home gardeners. Soil type To grow garlic The soil in which you will be planting the garlic cloves into needs to be fertilized first and should be done approximately one month prior to planting. Also, unless you are in a limestone area, the ground should have been prepared with liming. Garlic seems to thrive on a good dose of well-rotted compost as well, mixed well into the soil. Grow Garlic in well drained soil is a plus, as well as an area where there is plenty of sun. Growing garlic from cloves Garlic cloves are the seed, thus you will plant one clove approximately one inch deep making sure that the clove is standing straight in the hole. Not all cloves are going to be fertile though, thus you will need to purchase fertile cloves. You will need to consult with other gardeners as to the precise time to plant, as each area has planting times dictated by local temperature. Watering will also be dictated by your local weather. When you grow garlic cloves, weeding is a definite requisite. Also, do not plant garlic following any onion plantings. The enemies of the garlic family are mostly molds and fungus, thus watch the plants carefully. Harvesting of the garlic clove will be guided by the plant itself, as its bottom leaves will begin to brown, while the top half of the plant remains green. The best test is of course to pull one up and cut it in half. If the cloves inside fill the skin, they are ready to harvest. The garlic will need to be cured for approximately 4 weeks after harvest to dry out the plant as well as to prevent new shoots to appear. Garlic, Garlic, Garlic: Exceptional Recipes for the World's Most Indispensable Ingredient Top of growing garlic page |
