Perhaps it is due to age, that I have grown into a garlic aficionado. When I was younger, I dislike garlic due to the pungent aftertaste, but the benefits of garlic (manage cholesterol level and antioxidant) slowly won me over.
Photo credit: coanmice
Having eaten organically grown garlic, I must say the taste is better than store bought garlic. Hence growing garlic in the garden is a sensible choice. And it gives some protection to wild seasonal swings in garlic prices.
Garlic takes about eight months to mature. As garlic prefers sunny weather, you can start planting garlic cloves in early winter, about six weeks before the soil freezes over. You can then harvest in fall and store the garlic for use in winter.
The optimal garden soil for garlic is slightly acidic, light, dry but not freshly manured. On wet soils, grow garlic in raised beds.
Arrange the cloves 25 cm apart and top-dress with mulch to retain moisture and deter weeds. Weeds have to be removed as they can easily crowd out the garlic’s foliage. Mulch again after the ground freezes to protect plants from the cold.
Remove the mulch in spring so the sun can warm the soil, then add a fresh layer. To ensure large bulbs, cut back the flower stalks. Once the leaves become yellow and wither, it means that your garlic crop is ready for harvesting.
Always lift your cloves with a fork, instead of pulling by the the stem which may cause damage and allow disease spores to enter. Once thoroughly dried, garlic keep well for many months.
Garlic is one of the easiest vegetables to grow in your garden. Even a novice can master it. However, you have to watch out for pink root, which stunts root growth. Make sure you get the garlic bulbs from reputable nurseries and the soil has not been used to grow onions.
