Rich in nutrients and a staple of Mediterranean cuisine, garlic is not only a culinary delight but also possesses numerous medicinal properties. Imagine having an endless supply of this remarkable herb right in your home! This gardening guide for beginners will show you how to grow garlic, whether in pots or in the garden, so you can enjoy its delicious flavor all year round. Get ready for the joys of gardening with this comprehensive tutorial!
Which garlic should you grow at home?
Although you can find biennial garlic bulbs in the supermarket, they are not suitable for planting in soil. This store-bought garlic may have been treated with pesticides or sprout inhibitors that can hinder its growth. To ensure an ample supply of garlic at home, it is best to buy it from a garden center. The advantage of planting garlic is that it is easy to grow and is resistant to temperature fluctuations. Unlike other plants, perennial garlic, which is harvested in early summer, is less susceptible to insect infestation and disease.
How to grow garlic at home?
Growing garlic at home is a breeze! All you need is a garlic bulb, potting soil and a pot.
First, fill the pot with a mixture of soil and fertilizer. Then carefully separate the garlic cloves from each other, being careful not to damage the base.
Before planting, make sure the pointed ends of the cloves are facing up, dig them about 1 inch deep, and cover them with another 1 inch of soil.
Place the container in full sun and water the pot when the soil dries out. During germination, remember to cut the stems when they exceed 10 centimeters to preserve the flavor of the bulbs. Leave about 3 centimeters of the elongated parts of the perennial to ensure continuous growth.
When the stems stop growing and the foliage becomes dry, remove the bulbs from the soil and repeat the process. It is recommended to leave a distance of 15 centimeters between each large bulb. After one to ten days, you will notice significant growth results of this perennial plant.
When should you plant a garlic bulb?
There are different types of garlic and knowing the optimal planting conditions is important for successful cultivation. White garlic bulbs are best planted from October to December as they have a longer growth cycle. If you have pink biennial garlic, you should plant it in early spring or between January and March. For purple or red garlic, autumn is the preferred planting time as it is more susceptible to heat.
Growing conditions for garlic
Although this biennial plant is easy to care for, it requires a suitable soil. It thrives in well-aerated and non-sandy soil to promote healthy growth. Therefore, for optimal development of garlic bulbs, the use of dry potting soil, clay balls and compost is recommended.
Growing garlic in a pot
This easy-care biennial is beginner-friendly and perfect for those starting out in gardening – a therapeutic activity that is scientifically proven to soothe the soul. To thrive in a pot, the garlic bulb needs plenty of sunlight. Watering should only be done in dry weather or in the early planting stages.
When to harvest garlic?
Once the garlic bulb has grown well, it’s time to harvest the fruits. For a summer harvest, start planting in the fall. To enjoy a fall harvest, plant in the spring. A few weeks before harvesting these culinary gems, peel the bulb and remove any excess soil around it.
How do you harvest garlic?
To finally enjoy the deliciousness of garlic in your recipes, pull out the bulbs with a garden fork. The next step is to wash the garlic heads to remove any remaining soil and prevent rot. Simply lay them with their leaves on a piece of wood to dry and enjoy the pleasure of your home-grown garlic!
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