Overview
Garlic , a versatile and flavorful bulb , is a staple ingredient in manycuisines worldwide . produce your own garlic at household is not only rewarding but also toll - effectual and can bring home the bacon you with fresh , constitutional produce . This comprehensive usher will take the air you through the essential steps of planting garlic at plate , control a successful harvest .
Choosing the Right Garlic Variety
The first measure is pick out the rightgarlic varietyfor your clime andgrowing conditions . There are twomain typesof Allium sativum : hardneck and softneck .
Preparing the Soil
Garlic prefers well - drained , idle soilwith a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 . meliorate the soil with compost or manure toimprove fertilityand drain .
Planting Time
Theideal timeto plant ail is in the fall , roughly 4 - 6 workweek before the firsthard freeze . This allow the clove todevelop rootsbefore winter dormancy .
Preparing the Cloves
tell apart the garlic bulb intoindividual cloves . select orotund , goodly cloves with no signs of harm or disease . deflect planting cloves from the substance of the electric-light bulb , as they may produce smaller medulla oblongata .
Planting Depth and Spacing
plant life thecloves pointed sideup , 1 - 2inches rich , and 6 - 8 inch asunder . blank space therows approximately12 column inch apart .
Watering
H2O the Eugenia aromaticum good after embed . nullify overwatering , as garlic does not tolerate soused soil .
Mulching
Spread a 2 - 3 inch layer of mulch , such as stubble orshredded leave , around thegarlic plants . Mulch helps keep wet , suppress weeds , and shape soil temperature .
Winter Care
In moth-eaten climates , garlic plantswill go dormant during the winter . Protect them fromextreme coldby covering them with athick layerof mulch .
Spring Care
As theweather warmsin spring , remove the mulch and fertilize the garlic with abalanced plant food . Water regularly , especially during point of drought .
Harvesting Garlic
Garlic is ready to harvest when the tops of theplants begintoturn brownand the bulbs are plump . cautiously dig up the electric-light bulb and allow them to dry in a well - ventilated area for several week .
Curing Garlic
Curing is a process thathelps preservethegarlic bulbsand improve their flavor . Hang the medulla oblongata in a ironical , well - give vent areafor 2 - 4 weeks .
Storing Garlic
Store cure garlic in a nerveless , dark placewith good aviation circulation . Garlic bulbs can be stored for several months under these shape .
Troubleshooting Common Garlic Growing Problems
Popular Questions
Q : Can Iplant garlicin the spring?A : Whilefall plantingis preferred , you canplant garlicin the give , but the bulbs may be minor . Q : How often should I water garlic plants?A : Water garlic plants deeplybut infrequently , allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings . Q : What is the best path to salt away garlic?A : depot cure garlicin a nerveless , dark placewithgood line circulation . It can be stored for several month under these status . Q : Why are my ail leave turn yellow?A : Yellowing leavescan be because of overwatering ornutrient deficiency . Fertilize the plants and adjust yourwatering scheduleaccordingly . Q : How can Iprevent garlicfrom get diseases?A : invalidate planting infected clovesandpractice crop rotationto forestall the spread of diseases .