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GARLIC (Allium sativum)

Growing Garlic Plants

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a speciesof bulbous flowering plant in the genus Allium. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, Welsh onion and Chinese onion. It is native to Central Asia and northeastern Iran and has long been used as a seasoning worldwide, with a history of several thousand years of human consumption and use.It was known to ancient Egyptians and has been used as both a food flavoring and a traditional medicine. China produces 76% of the world's supply of garlic. They are particularly high in Calcium, Carbohydrates, Copper, Manganese, Phosphorus, Protein, Selenium, Thiamin, Vitamins B-6, and  vitamin C.

How Much Space Does Garlic Plants Need?

Garlic is ideally planted with six inches between cloves, both in and between rows. We give a little more space, sowing with eight-inch centers, because we want to limit competition between plants both above and below the ground.

What Type Soil Does Garlic Like

One of the most important factors in successfully growing garlic is to start with nutrient-rich soil. It should also be moist but well-draining. In general, garlic prefers sandy loam soils that drain well during wet periods and hold moisture during dry periods. Soils with high organic matter and good fertility are also ideal. Garlic does not perform well in wet conditions and can rot easily if the soil remains saturated.

Planting Instructions

Garlic and shallots are among the easiest and most rewarding crops to grow, though harvesting gorgeously massive, long-storing bulbs not a cakewalk. Plant nothing but the biggest and healthiest organic garlic and shallot bulbs you can find. Why? There is a direct relationship between the size of bulbs and cloves you plant and the size of the bulbs and cloves you’ll harvest. It’s not often true, but in the case of garlic and shallot, bigger truly is better, as long as they’re still healthy and especially if they’re organic.

Garlic is planted in fall, allowing the cold to divide each clove into the bulb to come. Plant between Halloween and Thanksgiving for the healthiest garlic growth. Your goal is for each clove to establish its root system while growing as little shoot as possible. Do not plant too close. Why? Because garlic plants will compete with each other, to their own detriment. Their roots compete for the same nutrients. Leaves overlap, competing for sunlight.

Nutrients

Normal- Garlic has a moderate to high demand for nitrogen, so fertilizer can be incorporated before planting. Apply phosphorus and potassium according to soil test results and incorporate both before planting. Planting in October will help get roots established before the ground freezes.

Vegan- For best results if growing in small to medium size containers, be sure to incorporated before planting our Callemo Powder to help support the plants Calcium and Magnesium needs. Then our VeGrow Quick Start to get the root system started and then use our VeGrow PK Booster once a week for the duration of the plants life cycle.

What can I plant next to Garlic?

Companion plants for garlic include: Dill, Beets, Kale, Spinach, Potatoes, Carrots and Eggplant

Harvest Time

Garlic planted in autumn is ready to harvest from the end of June. Garlic planted in spring is ready to harvest in July, August and September. The time to harvest garlic is when the leaves start to turn yellow. The leaves will weaken and start to fall as well as going yellow, so you know they are ready to harvest.