Garlic is a staple spice in the kitchen.
It enhances the flavor of curry. It is full of valuable nutrients and has many
amazing health benefits. However, it is very easy to grow garlic. If you wish,
you can grow garlic outdoors in the ground and indoors in the pots. But
many people don’t know how to grow garlic. So, in this article, I will
share everything you need to know about growing garlic. If you don't know
how to grow garlic, this article is only for you. If you want to learn the best
way to grow garlic, continue reading the article from first to last.
Step-by-Step Garlic Growing Tips
Suitable Land and Soil
Garlic grows well in fertile loamy soil
that does not accumulate water. But it can also be grown in clay loam soil.
Tubers don’t form well in clay soil. If the soil does not have drainage,
the bulbs will not grow and the garlic will lose color. So, select loamy soil for
growing garlic.
Best Time to Plant Garlic
The best time to plant garlic is October
or November. In warmer regions it can also be planted in February or March. If
you plant garlic at the right time, its bulbs are very big.
Best Garlic Varieties
There are many varieties of garlic. Before
planting it, you have to choose a variety. For your betterment, some best
garlic varieties are mentioned below.
Hardneck Varieties of Garlic
- Music: Cold-hardy, large
cloves and strong flavor.
- German Red: Spicy, bold taste
and easy to peel.
- Chesnok Red: Sweet and ideal
for roasting.
- Spanish Roja: Rich and classic
garlic flavor.
- Persian Star: Sweet and vibrant
taste with purple-striped skin.
Softneck Varieties of Garlic
- Silverskin: Long shelf life
and mild flavor.
- Inchelium Red: Robust and mild.
- California Early: Reliable and
mild flavor for warm regions.
- Artichoke: Big cloves and
mild.
- Elephant Garlic: Mild with big
cloves.
From the above varieties, you will choose
anyone.
Step by Step Guide to Growing Garlic
How to Grow Garlic Outdoors
Cultivating the land & Applying Fertilizers
Before planting garlic, loosen the soil
well by cultivating 3/4 of the land. Then add 10 tons of cow dung, 200 kg of
urea, 125 kg of TSP, 100 kg of MOP, 20 kg of zinc sulfate, 10 kg of borax and
100 kg of gypsum per hectare. Then after 30 days and 60 days apply 1st
and 2nd installment of fertilizers respectively. Apply 100 kg of urea and 50 kg
of MOP fertilizers per hectare each time.
Planting Garlic Cloves
The dried garlic cloves are planted. So,
plant garlic cloves in rows 15 cm apart. Then plant them 10 cm apart and 3-4 cm
deep.
Controlling Weeds
Clean the weeds after 15 days of planting
garlic. If there are many weeds in the land, clean the land several times.
Irrigation
After planting garlic cloves, the land
should be irrigated. So, irrigate once after planting garlic cloves. Then
irrigate every 10-15 days. Reduce irrigation as the tubers begin to mature.
However, garlic needs 4-5 irrigations from planting to harvest.
How to Grow Garlic Indoors
1. Choosing and Setting up
Pots
Choose each pot of 12-20 inches.
Make two holes in the bottom of each pot. Then place two brick pieces over the
two holes. After that, place 1 inch of small brick pieces and 1 inch of white
sand on them. Finally, press them with your hands. Now your pot is ready for
planting garlic. Prepare all the pots in the way.
2. Making Soil
Make soil by mixing 50% garden soil, 20%
compost, 20% cow dung and 10% white sand.
3. Filling the Pots with Soil
Add prepared soil little by little to the
ready pot for planting garlic and press it with your hands. Thus, fill
the full pot with soil. But keep 2 inches of space at the top of the pot.
4. Planting Garlic
Plant garlic cloves in pots 2 inches deep
and 4-6 inches apart. Then place the pots in full sunlight.
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5. Caring for Garlic
- Watering: Water regularly
when the soil above the pot is dry.
- Clearing weeds: If there are any
weeds in the pots, clean them properly.
- Fertilizing: Apply organic
liquid fertilizer to the pots every 15 days.
- Adding Extra Soil: Add extra soil to
the pots a month after planting the garlic.
6. Controlling Diseases and Insects
The main diseases of garlic are white rot,
rust and fusarium. Use disease-free bulbs and manage proper drainage to
control them. And, thrips, onion maggots and nematodes attack garlic.
Apply organic pesticides to control them.
7. Harvesting Garlic
Harvest garlic when the garlic leaves turn
30-50% yellow. To harvest garlic, loosen the soil with a garden fork and
carefully pull the bulb. Then trim the roots and stems. Finally, keep it
in a shady and well-ventilated place for 2-3 weeks.
8. Storing Garlic
Store garlic in an airtight container in a
cool and dry place. Don't refrigerate it. Use a basket or mesh bag to
store garlic.
How long does garlic take to grow?
Usually, garlic takes 8-9 months to grow from planting to
harvest. The softneck varieties grow faster. On the other hand, the hardneck
varieties may take slightly longer.
How deep to plant garlic?
Garlic cloves should be planted about 2 inches deep into the soil. Space each clove around 4-6 inches apart in rows.
Finally, garlic is a very beneficial
spice. It is very easy to grow. So, plant the best variety of garlic and
take proper care of them to get a bumper crop. At the end of the season, you
will see that your field or garden is full of garlic. Now you can enjoy your
own fresh garlic all year round. However, you know how to use garlic.
Now start growing garlic by following the tips in the article.
Have you benefited from reading the
article? What else do you want to know about growing garlic? If you have any
problem, express your valuable opinions in the comment box below.
