It can be a satisfying and reasonably simple process to grow garlic at home. Here is a basic how-to to get you going:
- Choose the right garlic: Choose a garlic variety that is appropriate for your climate. Hardneck varieties have a more robust flavor, but softneck varieties are usually easier to grow and store.
- Prepare the soil: Fertile, well-draining soil is ideal for garlic growth. Enhance the soil quality prior to planting by adding compost or well-rotted manure.
- Planting: Make sure that each clove of garlic has a portion of the basal plate attached by breaking the bulbs into individual cloves. With the pointed end facing up, plant the cloves 4 inches apart and 2 inches deep. Row spacing is one foot apart.
- Watering: Maintain a constant moisture content in the soil, particularly in the early phases of growth. Remember that garlic dislikes soggy conditions, so take care not to overwater it.
- Mulching: To help retain moisture and inhibit the growth of weeds, apply a layer of mulch, such as dried leaves or straw.
- Fertilizing: During the growing season, you can apply a balanced fertilizer to the garlic plants. But take care not to fertilize too much as this can change the garlic’s flavor.
- Harvesting: When the lower leaves start to turn brown and dry, garlic is usually ready to be harvested. Dig up the bulbs gently, being careful not to damage or bruise them. For a few weeks, let the bulbs dry in a warm, well-ventilated area.
- Storage: After the garlic bulbs have dried completely, trim the roots and stem and remove any last bits of dirt. Keep the lightbulbs somewhere dry, cold, and well-ventilated.
Following these steps, you should be able to grow your own fresh and flavorful garlic at home.
The photo is from unsplash.com
