General
Easy to grow! Garlic is good for what ails you! Did you know that the longer garlic is cooked, the milder the flavour? So for the strongest garlic flavour, add it toward the end of cooking. A solution to garlic breath is to offer cardamon seeds to chew at the end of a meal, or: parsley, basil, mint, lemon or thyme, all of which reduce the aroma of garlic on the breath.
Please see
The article about our Garlic products for further information.
Printable (PDF) version of blog post here.
Latin
Allium spp.
Alliaceae family.
Season & Zone
Season: Cool season.
Exposure: Full-sun.
Zone: All.
Plant Type
Annual (A)
Planting Seeds
Separate the cloves and set each one, pointed end up, 10-15cm (4-6") apart and with the tip of the clove 2-5cm (1-2") deep in rich, well drained soil. Don't skin the clove! Use deeper planting if rains or frost may expose the cloves, and shallower planting if using mulch or planting into heavy soil. Largest cloves will make largest bulbs. Some growers recommend planting the cloves 4 to 6 inches deep, as garlic likes moisture. In good soils, this should result in fatter, larger bulbs.
Preparing Soil
Rich, well-drained soil. Dig well, add compost (lots of it if your soil is heavy) and do not compact it by stepping on it. Fertilize when spring growth starts. Water as needed and keep weeded.
If your soil pH is below 5.5, the addition of wood ash or dolomite lime might help.
Planting
Plant garlic in October. Cut tips of flower stalks (these are called scapes) before they open, usually in mid-June the summer after planting. This will keep energy in the bulb. If individual cloves haven't formed, either eat the clove or replant and it will bulb next year.
Diseases & Pests
Many growers and home gardeners have been hit with White Rot that causes black spots and decay on the bulbs. It is spread in infected soil and water and is very persistent in the soil. Flooding the bed for 4 weeks in the spring may kill it. Best way to avoid it is not to leave decaying alliums in the ground and by using a strict 4 year rotation.
Harvest
Garlic matures between the end of July to early August. When the tops begin to dry, pull and air-dry like onions. Harvest when 1/2-3/4 of the leaves have turned yellow (depending on variety). Try to avoid puncturing the bulbs when digging them out. Cure the bulbs in a single layer in a warm spot for 1 week to 10 days. Clean the bulbs by peeling off outer muddy layers. Cut off the stems and leaves of the hardneck varieties, but leave the leaves on the softneck to use for braiding or hanging. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated space. Do not store garlic in the refrigerator, as this will induce sprouting, changing the garlic's texture and flavour. Use any damaged bulbs first, store the best. Set aside your best bulbs for planting in the fall.
To maximize bulb size, cut off the scapes (the curling tip) just as they begin to curl. These are wonderful in stir fries.
Companion Plants
Garlic, as well as other Alliums (chives, onions, leeks) produces an odour that is offensive to many garden pests, including deer and borer insects. Plant garlic near to fruit trees or any of the following to deter pests: Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage family, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chamomile, Collard, Cucumber, Dill, Kale, Lettuce, Pepper, Potato, Radish, Rose, Savory, Squash, Strawberry, Tomato. Crushed garlic, combined with mineral oil and fish emulsion may be very effective as a spray against leaf insects and even fungus.
