Growing garlic is an easy thing to do in most climatic conditions. Garlic has a long growing season, but eventually you'll have fresh garlic to stock up on for a few months, which you can even share with your friends. Garlic can be planted in pots or directly into the ground. See step 1 for how to grow and harvest garlic.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Preparing to Plant
Step 1. Get the garlic to plant
You can always try growing the garlic you buy at the market, but you will have a better chance of success if you buy garlic cloves or seeds from a plant store that sells varieties of garlic that are suitable for the area you live in. Shop online to find a wider variety of garlic options and pick the one you like. Some types of garlic are stronger, some can withstand cold weather, and so on.
- Garlic sold in the market sometimes comes from far away, so it will not always be suitable to grow in the area where you live.
- Garlic ready for sale is sometimes also chemically treated to make it last longer. Garlic that has been cured like this will be more difficult to grow than garlic that has not been cured.
Step 2. If planting in a subtropical climate, be prepared to plant in the fall or spring
If you live in an area with cold winters, it is recommended to plant garlic in the fall. Garlic will winter well, and planting it early will cause the cloves to be larger and more flavorful than those planted in the spring. But if you don't live in an area with cold seasons, plant your garlic in early spring.
- If you are planting garlic in the fall, plan to plant it 6 - 8 weeks before the soil begins to snow.
- If you are planting garlic in the spring, plant it while the soil is still usable in February or March.
Step 3. Prepare the planting area
Choose a spot that gets full sun and has good drainage. Dig 4 inches deep with a hoe. Add compost to add nutrients so the garlic will grow strong and healthy.
If you wish, prepare to grow garlic in pots. Choose a pot that is deep and wide enough to hold the garlic you want to plant, and fill it with fertile soil
Step 4. Plant the garlic cloves
Separate the garlic from the bulb into single cloves, keeping the skin layer intact. Plant the garlic cloves 4 inches apart and 2 inches deep. Make sure that the roots are pointing down and the pointed side is pointing up - or else the garlic will grow in the wrong direction. Cover the garlic cloves with earth and gently pat them down.
Method 2 of 3: Caring for Garlic
Step 1. Cover the planting area
If you are planting garlic in the fall, cover the field with 6 inches of straw to protect the garlic in the winter. In the spring, remove this cover.
Step 2. Cut the flower roots in the spring
You will be able to see the garlic stalks appear in early spring. Cut the flower roots that appear, because if you let them grow they will take energy from the formation of the bulbs and cause the garlic bulbs to become smaller.
Step 3. Drizzle the garlic
Water the garlic every 3 to 5 days depending on the weather. If you see the soil is dry and dusty, then it's time to water the garlic. Garlic does not need watering during the fall and winter.
Step 4. Fertilize and remove pests as needed
If the garlic roots appear yellowish or look weak in the middle of growing season, you can apply fertilizer to keep them healthy. Remove weeds from your plants so that garlic doesn't have to compete with other plants for nutrients and water.
Method 3 of 3: Harvesting and Preserving Garlic
Step 1. Harvest when the top of the plant turns yellow and begins to die
At the end of the growing season, in July or August, the tops of the garlic will begin to turn yellow and die off to indicate it is time to harvest garlic.
- Don't harvest garlic too late - the tubers will shrivel and taste bad.
- Garlic that is harvested too early cannot be preserved properly.
Step 2. Lift the tubers off the ground without damaging them
Use a shovel to dig out the area around the garlic without damaging the clove. Remove adhering soil. You can leave the garlic stalks attached to the tubers.
Step 3. Leave the garlic for 2 weeks
Before using garlic, let the onions dry first. During this time, the peel will dry out and the tubers will harden. Store harvested garlic in a cool, dry place to preserve it.
- You can cut the stems and preserve the garlic individually in the storage. Make sure your onions get good air circulation.
- Another way to preserve and store garlic is to let the stems stick together, stick them together and then hang them in a cool, dry place.
Step 4. Use the garlic when the skin is dry and feels like paper
The tubers will be firm to the touch and will separate easily.
Step 5. Save the best garlic cloves for the next growing season
Choose a few large bulbs to plant in the fall before the ground is covered with snow or in early spring. Choose bulbs that look their best so that the next season's harvest is large and tastes good.
Tips
- In areas with moderate seasons, garlic can be planted in winter.
- Lime is not necessary unless your soil is very acidic. The ideal soil pH ranges from 5.5 to 6.7.
- Garlic rows should be spaced 30 cm apart.
- For more detailed steps on caring for garlic after planting and harvesting, see the article How to Grow Garlic.
