The Secrets of Growing Huge Garlic

[caption id="attachment_1482" align="aligncenter" width="300"] curing the garlic[/caption]

Growing garlic can be somewhat of a mystery to some people, especially those who have tried to grow it, and it just didn't turn out right. However, once a few key things are learned about growing garlic, it becomes a very easy thing to do! I love to grow my own garlic and never have to buy garlic. It is NOT hard to grow enough to last you the whole year. Here are the 3 main secretes to growing nice large bulbs of garlic:

1. Plant the cloves in the fall. You only want to plant one little clove- not the whole bulb when growing the garlic. This will produce a bulb by the next spring. If you plant more than one clove in a single hole, then you will get 2 smaller bulbs the next year. By planting one clove, you will get a nice big bulb.


2. Space them about 6 inches apart. Garlic dose not like competition so planting them too close to each other or to other plants will prevent the bulb from growing to the maximum size. We made the mistake of inter-planting them in the strawberry patch the first year we grew them, and they did grow, but the end results were very small bulbs the next spring.
   
   [caption id="attachment_1483" align="aligncenter" width="456"] This is what happens when the garlic is left and not harvested, or planted too close.[/caption]


3. Keep planting them every year. Over time, your garlic bulbs will get acclimated to your yard and by planting mostly large cloves, you will harvest nice big bulbs. Our bulbs have gotten bigger each year. I harvest them in June- dry them by hanging them over the cucumber trellis then in October I take a few bulbs and separate the cloves and plant enough to last all year the next year.

I do not worry about watering them through the winter and spring- just when it starts getting hot. However some warm dry climates might need to water them if there is no source of moisture for the bulb through the winter. Growing garlic is so easy and fun to do once you understand these three essential things, just remember to plan ahead as you are harvesting last years planting with garlic.

Happy Gardening!

How to Grow Garlic

Garlic is such a great thing to add to your garden because it is so easy to grow, and you should never have to buy garlic again! The one thing you should realize is: Garlic should be planted in the fall. I have talked to many people who have made the mistake of planting garlic in the spring with the rest of their garden, and not getting a harvest of garlic. If you have made this mistake, just leave it in the ground until next year, or even the fall. the bulbs will be small, but you can harvest them and then pull the biggest cloves off and replant them in the fall for a good harvest next year. For those just starting out growing garlic, here are a few simple steps:

1. Choose- chose what variety you like and want to grow in your garden. You can order them from companies that grow lots of garlic, or you can pick some up from a local gardening center. You would be amazed at the amount of varieties you have to choose from.


2. Plant- pull of the separate sections of the bulb

Growing Garlic

Garlic is such a fun vegetable to plant. Basically if you plant your own garlic, you will never have to buy garlic again. Just save a few bulbs for planting in the fall, and save the rest to use the rest of the year. It perpetuates itself. So easy and fun! The garlic will also adapt to the conditions in your garden year after year and the flavor will deepen and become richer.

Start by buying some cloves of garlic from a seed or plant store, but I would recommend doing some research on varieties because there is lots of different varieties and flavors out there.  Plant the garlic in the fall before the solid frost hits- around the time you plant tulips. There is not really any need to water the garlic over winter if you receive some moisture during the winter months and you live in an area that bulbs do well.

I have found that they do not compete well with other plants and weeds, so give them enough space to grow, and you will be rewarded with large healthy bulbs.  Adding a nice layer of mulch will also give it a great blanket for the winter.

Harvest the next summer when the lower leaves have died off. Then dry in the sun for a few days, and then put in a root cellar or other cool room with low humidity. They should stay good all year until you are ready to harvest your next batch.

Then enjoy your home grown garlic!

Happy Gardening!

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