Difference between revisions of "Plant Garlic"
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#*The garlic stocked in grocery stores is often shipped in from faraway places, so it won't necessary be a strain that works with your climate and soil type. | #*The garlic stocked in grocery stores is often shipped in from faraway places, so it won't necessary be a strain that works with your climate and soil type. | ||
#*Garlic sold in grocery stores has usually been treated with chemicals to make it last longer on the shelf. It's harder to grow treated garlic than untreated garlic. | #*Garlic sold in grocery stores has usually been treated with chemicals to make it last longer on the shelf. It's harder to grow treated garlic than untreated garlic. | ||
| − | #Get ready to plant in the fall or the spring. If you live in a northern area that gets a hard frost, it is recommended that you plant garlic in the fall. Garlic overwinters well, and planting it early will cause the bulbs to be larger and more flavorful than a spring-planted crop.<ref>http://www.almanac.com/plant/garlic</ref> However, if you live in a southern area that doesn't have cold winters, plant your garlic early spring instead. | + | #Get ready to plant in the fall or the spring. If you live in a northern area that gets a hard frost, it is recommended that you plant garlic in the fall. Garlic overwinters well, and planting it early will cause the bulbs to be larger and more flavorful than a spring-planted crop.<ref name="rf1">http://www.almanac.com/plant/garlic</ref> However, if you live in a southern area that doesn't have cold winters, plant your garlic early spring instead. |
#*If you're planting garlic in the fall, plan to plant it 6 - 8 weeks before the ground freezes. | #*If you're planting garlic in the fall, plan to plant it 6 - 8 weeks before the ground freezes. | ||
#*If you're planting garlic in the spring, plant it as soon as the ground can be worked in February or March. | #*If you're planting garlic in the spring, plant it as soon as the ground can be worked in February or March. | ||
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#Cut off flower shoots in the spring. You should see the garlic scapes emerge from the ground in early spring. Cut off any flower shoots you see, since if they're left to grow they'll take energy away from the bulb formation and result in smaller bulbs. | #Cut off flower shoots in the spring. You should see the garlic scapes emerge from the ground in early spring. Cut off any flower shoots you see, since if they're left to grow they'll take energy away from the bulb formation and result in smaller bulbs. | ||
#Keep the garlic watered. Water the garlic every 3 to 5 days throughout the growing season. When you see the soil get dry and dusty, that means it's time to water. Garlic plants don't need to be water during the fall and winter. | #Keep the garlic watered. Water the garlic every 3 to 5 days throughout the growing season. When you see the soil get dry and dusty, that means it's time to water. Garlic plants don't need to be water during the fall and winter. | ||
| − | #Fertilize and weed as necessary. If the garlic shoots look yellowish or limp in the middle of the growing season, you can dress the plants with fertilizer to help them perk up. Keep the garlic bed weeded so that the garlic doesn't have to compete with other plants for nutrients and water.<ref>http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/how-to-plant-garlic</ref> | + | #Fertilize and weed as necessary. If the garlic shoots look yellowish or limp in the middle of the growing season, you can dress the plants with fertilizer to help them perk up. Keep the garlic bed weeded so that the garlic doesn't have to compete with other plants for nutrients and water.<ref name="rf2">http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/how-to-plant-garlic</ref> |
===Harvesting and Curing Garlic=== | ===Harvesting and Curing Garlic=== | ||
#Harvest when the tops turn yellow and begin to die off. At the end of the growing season, in July or August, the tops of the garlic plants will start looking yellow and begin to fall over and die. This means it's time to harvest the garlic. | #Harvest when the tops turn yellow and begin to die off. At the end of the growing season, in July or August, the tops of the garlic plants will start looking yellow and begin to fall over and die. This means it's time to harvest the garlic. | ||
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#*You can also cure your garlic by hanging the cloves upside down in a warm, shaded area with the leaves attached. | #*You can also cure your garlic by hanging the cloves upside down in a warm, shaded area with the leaves attached. | ||
#Use the garlic when the skin is dry and papery. The cloves should be firm to the touch, and easy to pull apart. | #Use the garlic when the skin is dry and papery. The cloves should be firm to the touch, and easy to pull apart. | ||
| − | #Save the best bulbs for next season's planting. Pick out a few large bulbs to plant either in the fall before the ground freezes or in early spring. Choose the best-looking bulbs to ensure that next season's plants are big and flavorful.<ref | + | #Save the best bulbs for next season's planting. Pick out a few large bulbs to plant either in the fall before the ground freezes or in early spring. Choose the best-looking bulbs to ensure that next season's plants are big and flavorful.<ref name="rf2" /> |
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
