Planting garlic is a simple and easy task, but it must be done carefully because if you fail now, your entire harvest will be in jeopardy. If you, too, think that getting started is the key to success, here are some things you should know before you start sowing garlic seeds.
When Is the Best Time to Start Sowing Garlic Seeds?
Planting garlic varies from early fall to late winter, depending on your location. In warm climates, garlic is sown in October, while in colder and more humid areas, it is planted from mid-February to mid-March.
Choosing the Best Bulb Is the First Step
When sowing garlic, try to plant only the best, most productive cloves. The outer wedge should preferably be large in size, curved, and look healthy and strong. If it is far from sowing time, store the bulbs in a dark, slightly moist environment around 0°C or above 17°C.
How to Plant the Bulbs
Sow garlic in small holes. Dig a single row of holes 2-3 cm deep using a stake, spacing them about 10 cm apart. If you want to plant several rows, space them about 30 cm apart. Arrange the garlic in the holes so that the tips are facing upward, then cover them with loose soil so that the tips of the bulbs are raised off the ground.
Tips for Growing Garlic in the Garden
To grow the perfect plant in your garden, you will need to sow garlic in a sunny location. It can be planted in most soils, but the bulb is sensitive to water retention and rots quickly in humid conditions. Therefore, if you are growing garlic during the wettest time of the year, it is best to plant it in loose soil to allow the excess water to drain away quickly. Before sowing garlic, the soil should be prepared by digging to a depth of 25 to 30 cm, but it should not be fertilized or composted. However, do not add fertilizer or compost, as organic fertilizer in the soil will cause the bulbs to rot.
Garlic, Vegetable Garden, Garden, Harvest, Market
Growing Garlic in Pots
Garlic grows well when grown in pots, and just make sure you have enough space for each plant and place it in a sunny spot. To grow garlic in pots, all you have to do is restore enough pots, make rows like in a vegetable garden, and sow seeds repeatedly. Therefore, when growing garlic on a balcony, it is good to have a long and deep planter that is ideal for this purpose.
As already mentioned, garlic does not like stagnant water, so it is advisable to put expanded clay on the bottom of the planter before filling it with soil. It is also advisable not to use a saucer for this crop so that the excess water can penetrate quickly and not damage the bulbs.
Intercropping
Garlic is a plant that can repel many harmful insects, and not only does it protect itself, but it also successfully protects the vegetables growing nearby from parasites. For this reason, it is recommended to grow garlic among cucumbers, carrots, lettuce, potatoes, celery, strawberries, and tomatoes.
Wild Garlic, Forest, Plant
Watering Garlic in Pots and Gardens
Garlic grown in the garden does not need any special attention in terms of irrigation. Watering should be done only when there is no rain for weeks during the warm season, only in such extreme cases advisable to grow it with regular watering. That way, you can harvest garlic without any problems. On the other hand, if you are growing garlic in a potted plant, it is better to water it repeatedly every day, limiting the amount of water. Be especially careful not to over-water the bulbs and plant organs, as they are prone to rot when exposed to moisture.
Let us know if these few tips have helped you in the comments below!
