The Complete Guide to Growing Garlic in Your Garden

Garlic is not only a staple in the kitchen but also an excellent addition to your garden due to its ease of cultivation and minimal space requirements. Whether nestled in a garden bed or potted on a balcony, garlic thrives under the right conditions. Here’s a detailed guide on how to successfully grow garlic, from choosing the right variety to harvesting your bulbs.

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Selecting the Right Garlic Variety

There are two primary types of garlic: hardneck and softneck.

  • Hardneck Garlic produces a flower stem called a scape, which is edible and can be used in dishes like salads and stir-fries. This variety is preferable if you are interested in harvesting both scapes and bulbs. Some popular hardneck varieties include:
    • ‘Elephant Garlic’: Known for its large, mild bulbs suitable for roasting.
    • ‘Carcassonne Wight’: Adapts well to cooler climates.
    • ‘Extra Early Wight’: Offers one of the earliest harvesting times for garlic.
  • Softneck Garlic is known for its long shelf life and does not produce a scape. It’s ideal for storage and includes varieties like:
    • ‘Wight Cristo’: Known for its robust flavor and is suitable for spring or autumn planting.
    • ‘Picardy Wight’: Has a strong flavor and stores well.
    • ‘Germidour’: Praised for its reliability and slightly milder taste.

When and How to Plant Garlic

Garlic cloves should be planted from November to April, with autumn plantings typically yielding the best results. Planting before Christmas is advised to maximize bulb development. Ensure that the garlic you purchase is intended for planting, not consumption, which you can find at a reputable online plant specialist.

Planting Steps:

  1. Soil Preparation: Garlic prefers well-drained, fertile soil positioned in full sun. Enrich the soil with organic matter like compost before planting to improve fertility and drainage.
  2. Planting the Cloves: Break the garlic bulb into individual cloves, making sure each one has some of the papery covering intact. Plant the cloves pointed end up, about 2.5 cm deep and 10-15 cm apart to give them ample room to grow.
  3. Row Spacing: If planting multiple rows, space them about 30 cm apart. This spacing helps with air circulation and reduces the risk of fungal diseases.
  4. Winter Care: For regions with heavy clay soils, start the cloves in module trays filled with multi-purpose compost to avoid rotting in wet conditions. These can be transplanted to the garden in spring.

Growing Garlic in Containers

For those with limited space, growing garlic in containers is a viable option. Here’s how:

  1. Container Choice: Select a container at least 20 cm deep with adequate drainage holes to accommodate the garlic’s root growth.
  2. Soil and Planting: Use a multi-purpose compost mixed with some slow-release fertilizer. Plant the cloves as described above, ensuring they are not placed too close to the edge of the container to allow space for bulb growth.
  3. Watering: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, particularly during dry spells. Over-watering can lead to bulb rot.
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Caring for Garlic

  • Mulching: Applying a layer of mulch can help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
  • Weeding: Regular weeding is necessary as garlic does not compete well with weeds.
  • Watering: Water sparingly, only ensuring the soil does not completely dry out.
  • Pest Control: Use netting to protect young shoots from birds.