Garlic is one of the earliest plants ever cultivated, dating back over 5,000 years.
Garlic is considered a medicinal herb as well as an essential cooking ingredient. Whatever your reason for growing garlic, it is easy! Garlic is a bulb from the lily family and is closely related to the onion. There are several varieties available. White is the most common variety. Elephant garlic has large cloves, and a mild flavour, and is a good insect deterrent. Planted among roses, garlic is said to enhance their fragrance and deter insects.
Planting Garlic
The best time to plant Garlic is on the shortest day of the year and harvest on the longest day. In cooler areas, it can be planted in early May. Planting can continue through to August. They thrive in any well-drained garden soil in a sunny position. Dig in plenty of compost and some general garden fertiliser and lime before planting.
Growing Garlic in Containers – Garlic can be grown in containers. Use a good quality potting mix and keep the plants well watered during spring. Liquid feed regularly using an All Purpose Liquid Fertiliser.
Garlic does not like competing with weeds, so keep the area weed free and if conditions are dry, well watered. Reduce watering one month before harvest to ensure they keep well once harvested.
If flower stalks appear, remove them, this will reduce the size of the bulbs when harvested.
Break the garlic bulb up into individual cloves taking the largest undamaged cloves from around the outside of the bulb. Do this just before planting as the clove will start to “grow” as soon as it is broken up. Press the cloves into the soil with the narrow end up so they are just covered – approximately 2-5cm deep – depending on the size of the cloves. Plant 15cm apart. If planting several rows, allow 30cm between the rows.
Lifting and storage
Harvest in December on the longest day of the year or when the foliage turns brown. Lift by loosening the soil around the bulb with a fork and pull the bulbs up by the tops. Store the bulbs, foliage, and all, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place for two to three weeks. When the foliage is dry, trim it back to the top of the bulb and store in a string bag in a cool, dry, well-ventilated shed until needed. Alternatively, leave about 15cm of foliage on top and braid the bulbs into bunches.
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