My Step-by-Step Tips On Growing Garlic

Garlic (Allium sativum) has been cultivated for more than 3,000 years. Is it any wonder when you look at the many and varied culinary and medicinal purposes it has?

Garlic Bulb Garlic is widely used in the kitchen and its health benefits are outstanding as a natural antibiotic as well as having antiseptic properties. In organic gardening systems it is often used as the base for various insect deterrents. Not only that, it has anti-fungal properties too.

Garlic is also a very useful companion plant.

Now for my Step-by-Step cultivating tips:

Where's the best place to grow it?

Choose an open, sunny position. As a companion plant garlic can kind of disappear between larger, leafy plants – especially if the stems suddenly die back. Now I'm not suggesting you don't grow garlic as a companion plant, but also have a plot of its own so that you can be sure you'll have enough to last you the season. A plot about 1m (1 yard) square is big enough to grow about 60 bulbs.

What soil does garlic prefer?

Garlic is a bulb, so it needs quite a well drained soil otherwise it may just rot under the ground as the bulb is starting to form. Soil that is friable with plenty of organic matter is great for garlic. Dig in blood and bone or similar organic fertilizer prior to planting, or you can top dress with compost.

Don't add fresh manures. They are often high in nitrogen, which will encourage the green stems rather than the development of healthy bulbs. If you have heavy clay soils, try growing your garlic in raised beds, or alternatively you can grow them in pots.

When do I plant it?

Garlic grows through winter, but it needs to be planted in autumn (fall), then harvested in summer. Planting time depends a lbit on your own climate. The hotter the autumn temperatures, the later the planting. If you live in a sub-tropical climate, it may be best to leave it til winter.

Garlic has two growth stages. Roots and foliage grow through autumn and winter. Then the bulbs begin to develop with the warmer weather. By summer the bulbs have grown to a good size and by about mid summer the foliage will start to wither.

What bulbs should I choose?

Garlic bulbs are made up of individual corms. Just pull each corm away from the bulb to plant. These will grow into your new garlic bulbs. To start with you might have to buy commercial garlic bulbs, unless you know someone who grows organically who can give (sell or swap) you your starting bulbs.

Garlic from the supermarket or fruit and vegetable shops may have been sprayed with chemicals to stop them shooting. Some garlic is imported and could have a different growing season, so will most likely not grow. A good place to try is your local organic vegetables supply store.

Growing Garlic Organic Garlic Bulbs

How do I plant them?

Pull away all of the corms from the parent bulb. You should get between 10 and 20 corms from each bulb. Gently push each corm into the soil, about 3-5cm (1-2inches) below the soil, flat base at the bottom and pointed tip facing upwards. Allow about 10cm / 4inches between corms and 30cm / 12inches between rows.

If some corms pop out of the soil after a few weeks it means that the roots are growing.
You can gently push them back below the soil surface.

Then what do I do?

Not very much really. Through winter you will only need to water if conditions are extremely dry. Pull any weeds by hand as they come through. (You don't want to mulch as your corms may rot)
As the weather gets warmer through spring and summer, water if you need to.

Summer's here - what now?

Your garlic bulbs are ready to harvest when the foliage starts turning brown at the tips. Don't leave them in the ground til the foliage has completely withered and died back or the bulbs may become over-mature, start splitting or even burst apart.

Wait for a hot, dry day to harvest. Loosen the soil with a hand fork (or digger), then carefully pry them from the soil. If you try to pull them up from the stems you may damage them. Shake any loose soil from the bulbs and set them aside for a few weeks. Hang them by their stems in bunches in a dry, well ventilated area. Your garden shed could be ideal.

You can also dry them on racks. The idea is to prevent mould or mildew from forming. Never wash your bulbs. If they don't dry out properly they will probably rot. Cut off any mouldy stems immediately if you see them, as it can spread very quickly through your carefully grown bulbs.

After several weeks you can cut off the stems and store the bulbs in a string or hessian bag, using them as you need. You can try your hand at plaiting the stems together, like the centuries old tradition. Cut off each bulb as you need it.

And that's just about all there is to it. It really is quite an easy vegetable to grow and one that most people use almost on a daily basis - I know I do.

So mark it on your calendar now, or better still, your garden diary! Mid Autumn (fall) ***Must plant garlic***