Garlic Planting Time

Saturday, October 16, 2010 03:45 AM

This time of year we are harvesting and cleaning out the vegetable garden and not thinking of planting in it, but there is a vegetable that can be planted in the fall to be harvested next summer.

This vegetable is garlic.

Garlic is a hardy perennial in the allium family that can be planted in the spring but benefits from being planted in the fall because it allows the plant to start growing early in the spring thus, producing higher yields.

For best results plant garlic 3-4 weeks before the frost sets into the ground so that the cloves can germinate and form a root system.

When purchasing garlic bulbs for planting choose the 'planting' garlic rather than the 'eating' garlic found in grocery stores because the eating garlic is often treated with a growth inhibitor to prevent it from sprouting.

A garlic bulb consists of individual cloves which are separated just before they are planted. When separating the cloves try not to damage them, do not peel them, and plant only those cloves that are healthy. Another thing to keep in mind when planting garlic cloves is that the bigger cloves will produce larger bulbs so you may want to use the smaller cloves in the kitchen rather than plant them.

Garlic grows best in full sun and in a well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Work the soil to a depth of 20-30 cm and plant each clove with the pointed end up 7-10 cm deep in the soil, spacing them 10-15 cm apart in rows that are 45-50 cm apart.

After planting the garlic cloves in the garden it is a good idea to clearly mark the rows so that in the spring the planted cloves are not accidentally dug up or rota tilled. Once the rows are marked the planted garlic should have a good layer of mulch placed on it to help it survive the winter, as well as moderate moisture. Snow is a very good insulator so by ensuring that there is at least 15-20 cm of snow on the garlic will determine how much mulch to use. Mulch can be straw, shredded leaves, or peat moss.

Garlic is easy to grow as it is rarely bothered by pests or insects, but they should be weeded being careful not to disturb the roots.

In the spring the mulch is removed and if the soil is dry the garlic should be watered so that the soil is moist but not wet. Too little water will result in irregular shaped and small bulbs, while too much water can prevent the garlic from keeping. By mid June stop watering the garlic because the plants no longer need it.

The garlic is ready to harvest when ½ to ¾ of the leaves turn yellow in late July or August. Do not let it stay in the soil too long as this will cause the bulb to spit and shatter.

Using a garden spade or fork dig up the bulb and then it will need to cure for proper storage. It can be braided right after it has been dug up or it can be cured in the same manner as an onion by placing it in well ventilated area for a few weeks and then removing the top and roots.

When removing the top, leave a few centimetres of top so that the cloves are not harmed. Keep the paper skin around the bulb as this will keep the clove fresh.

Depending on conditions garlic can be stored for 6-8 months.

Garlic has many beneficial attributes and is easy to grow so why not plant a few cloves in your garden this fall so that you can enjoy fresh garlic next summer!

-Jos

Jos Van Hage owns and operates two Art Knapp Home and Garden Centres in Prince George: