It is easy to grow your own garlic.It has a long growing season, but at the end you will have a fresh crop of garlic to store for the winter or share with friends.It's possible to grow garlic in the ground or in a pot and have it ready to harvest in late summer.
Step 1: It's a good idea to get garlic to plant.
If you buy garlic cloves or seeds from a plant nursery that sells varieties that grow well in your area, you will have a better chance of having a successful garlic crop.You can shop online for a wider selection of garlic.Some strains are stronger than others.It won't be necessary to have a strain that works with your climate and soil type to get garlic in grocery stores.Chemicals are usually used to treat garlic in grocery stores to make it last longer.It's difficult to grow treated garlic.
Step 2: Prepare to plant in the fall or the spring.
If you live in a northern area that gets a hard frost, you should plant garlic in the fall.Early planting of garlic will cause the bulbs to be larger and more delicious than a spring crop.If you live in a southern area that doesn't have cold winters, you should plant garlic early in the spring.You should plant garlic 6 - 8 weeks before the ground freezes.If you want to grow garlic in the spring, plant it in February or March.
Step 3: Prepare the planting site.
A spot with full sun and well-draining soil is a good choice.Use a garden rake or hoe to dig the soil to a depth of 4 inches.Adding compost will help the garlic grow strong and healthy.Prepare to grow garlic in a pot.Pick a pot large enough to hold the garlic you want to grow, and fill it with rich soil.
Step 4: The garlic cloves should be planted.
Keep the papery skin intact by dividing the bulb into cloves.The cloves should be planted 4 inches apart and 2 inches deep.The garlic will grow in the wrong direction if the flat root side is pointing down.Place the garlic cloves in the soil and pat them gently.
Step 5: The area must be mulched.
If you want to protect your garlic during the winter, cover the area with 6 inches of straw.The mulch can be removed in the spring.If you want to plant garlic in the spring, be sure to mulch it.
Step 6: There are flower shoots in the spring.
You can see the garlic scapes in the early spring.If flower shoots are left to grow, they will take energy away from the bulb formation and result in smaller bulbs.
Step 7: The garlic must be watered.
During the growing season, water the garlic every 3 to 5 days.It's time to water when the soil is dry and dusty.During the fall and winter, garlic plants don't need water.
Step 8: It's necessary tofertilize and weed.
If the garlic shoots are limp in the middle of the growing season, you can dress them with fertilization to perk them up.The garlic doesn't have to compete with other plants for water and nutrition if the bed is weeded.
Step 9: When the tops turn yellow, harvest when they die off.
At the end of the growing season in July or August, the garlic plants will begin to fall over and die.It's time to harvest the garlic.The garlic won't be good to eat if you harvest it too late.It won't cure properly if garlic is harvested too early.
Step 10: Break the bulbs if you remove them from the ground.
Use a spade to dig around the garlic bulbs.Remove excess dirt.The garlic stem can be left on the bulb.
Step 11: Allow the bulbs to cure for 2 weeks.
It's necessary to let the garlic cure before you use it.The bulb will become firm as the skin becomes dry.Store the garlic in a dry place.The garlic bulbs can be cured in a storage bin.Make sure they have plenty of air circulation.One way to cure and store garlic is to leave the stems attached and braid them, then hang the garlic in a dry place.You can cure garlic by hanging the cloves upside down in a shaded area.
Step 12: The garlic can be used when the skin is dry and papery.
The cloves should be easy to pull apart.
Step 13: The best bulbs should be saved for next season.
Pick out a few large bulbs to plant in the fall or early spring.Next season's plants should be big and delicious if you choose the best looking bulbs.