Growing Garlic

A Bit of History

Garlic is closely related to the leek, chives and the onion family.

Native to Central Asia, it dates back well over 6000 years and from the outset has been used for cooking and medicinal purposes.

Preparations for Planting

Plantings can be made from October through to March.

Grow in soil that is well drained and preferably in an area with a sunny open aspect.

Garlic does not require very fertile soil to grow.

Planting

Be sure not to plant garlic in freshly manured ground.

Take a garlic bulb and split into separate cloves at twice the depth of the bulb, usually about 4" deep.

Plant with the pointed end up.

Place the cloves about 7" apart and 12" between rows for maximum yields.

Garlic does better when overwintered for at least two months from late autumn to early winter.

Caring for

Keep weed free and watered. Feeding is not usualy required.

• Pests and Disease
  
  Garlic are prone to the same threats of attack that the onion family suffer. Eelworms, thrips and onion maggot are all potential pests but can be subdued by careful crop rotation or if necessary insecticides.
  
  (top tip: - Garlic itself is a natural pest deterrent and can be used effectively in the garden to ward off the nasty aphids).

Companion Planting

Garlic can help other plants to thrive but can also effect certain plants in a negative way.

Try planting your garlic with aubergines, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, kale, kohl rabi, peppers, potatoes and tomatoes to really give these plants a boost.

Avoid planting with beans and peas.

Harvesting

When leaves stary yellowing after about 90-100 days, they are ready to be lifted. Hang them to dry to get them prepared for storage.

Can store well for 8-10 months.

Varieties to Try

Albigensian Wight
Iberian Wight
Wight Crisco