Garlic is a member of the Allium family. The Allium Genus is the family of plants that includes garlic, onions, and leeks. Allium is derived from the Greek word for garlic. Garlic has been used as both food and medicine since at least the 25th century BC. All parts of the garlic plant are edible, but the bulb is the most prized and useful in the kitchen. The bulb is divided into numerous fleshy cloves, each wrapped in a papery husk. Each clove, if planted in the fall, will produce a new head of garlic.
There are a lot of decisions to make when choosing garlic seeds to plant. Hardneck or Softneck? Many cloves to plant or few, mild flavor or spicy! The question is which type of garlic to plant and how? Once you have decided which garlic you will grow, and how much, you can begin to plant and enjoy all its benefits.
Make sure you choose garlic seeds from known sources and realize that you will use these seeds through multiple growing seasons and their yields will improve over time! Never use garlic cloves from the grocery store for planting. Grocery store garlic may not be the best variety for your region, and it’s often treated with an anti-sprouting chemical to inhibit growth. Purchase only big sized bulbs in good condition. Order clove online from good seed company or your local nursery. I advise you to grow more than one variety, because some may succumb to diseases, or they may not grow as well as expected. By growing multiple garlic varieties in your garden, you are sure for a successful harvest.
By following these simple tasks, you will enjoy planting your own organic garlic at home.
Garlic Varieties
There are two main types of garlic: Hardneck and Softneck.
Hardneck Garlic
These varieties produce a stiff stem that grows up through the center of the bulb, then tend to have a sharper flavor, with more variation in flavor among the garlic varieties. Hardneck garlics are known for their extreme hardiness, making them a good choice for regions with very cold winters. Hardnecks are the best option for northern gardeners.
Softneck Garlic
This variety is found at most supermarkets. It has a relatively mild flavor. Softneck garlic is the best choice for regions with mild winters. Softneck have many cloves in each head, some are large while others are small. These varieties store very well, making it ideal for mass production. The heads of softneck garlic can be stored for nine to twelve months under ideal storage conditions. This kind of garlic don't develop a flowering stalk, so their stems stay soft and flexible. Softneck is best for warmer climates. Planting garlic cloves is relatively simple. The size of the cloves you plant will determine whether you get big or small garlic and of course spacing, soil fertility and good care!
Plant garlic cloves as early as 6 to 8 weeks before the first fall frost date, before the ground freezes, this timing may vary with your local climate. Garlic can be planted in the spring, but fall planting is recommended for most gardeners. Plant the cloves in the fall and with good care, you’ll find that your garlic bulbs are bigger and more flavorful when you harvest the next summer!
. Select the biggest, firmest, bulbs with the biggest cloves. Big, healthy cloves will produce big heads of garlic.
. Break a garlic bulb apart into individual cloves, be careful to keep the papery skins covering each clove intact, examine each bulb carefully and remove any bulbs that display mold or abnormalities that may indicate disease.
Where to Plant Garlic Cloves
Garlic grows best in rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter such chicken manure and free of weeds. The clove should be planted in an area that is not recently used for garlic or other plants from the onion family. Never plant your garlic in areas where the water can collect around the roots, this will cause them to rot or become diseased, and you will lose your time for planting and your garlic!
. Choose a location with full sun, that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Before planting your garlic cloves, work several inches of homemade compost or well-rotted chicken manure into the soil. Garlic cloves should be planted in a fertile, well-drained soil.
How to Plant Garlic Cloves
Knowing how to plant garlic clove is so important!
- Dig a furrow about 3 inches deep.
- Place the cloves into the furrow one by one, spacing them 6 to 8 inches apart, always be sure the flat root end is down, and the pointy end is up. When planting, it is necessary to ensure that the soil is moist, as this will help the root system start to grow.
- Cover the cloves with 2 inches of soil water well, after planting lay down a protective mulch of straw, chopped leaves or grass clippings. Mulch will help to prevent the garlic roots from being heaved out of the ground by alternate freezing.
- For several rows of garlic, space the rows roughly 30 cm apart. This will give them plenty of space and can help with weeding. After planting, the clove will make roots while the soil is still warm, and some green leaves will poke out from the soil.
Watch How to Plant Garlic Cloves Video
Beyond its intense flavor and culinary uses, garlic is also good in our gardens as an insect repellent. This aromatic plant has been used for centuries as a home remedy.
Now that you know how to plant garlic cloves, try to grow your own and enjoy an endless supply of one of the world's healthiest foods!
Garlic Bulbs Are Available Here!
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