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MyGardens Garlic Garden How to Grow Garlic
MyGardens Garlic Garden How to Grow Garlic
- Tips for Growing an Insect and Disease Free Garlic Garden
- First select a garlic variety that is pest and disease resistant. Also research the companion planting of garlic, onions and chives.
- Garlic protects roses from black spot. Companion planting is an excellent provider of potassium, calcium and other natural minerals. Lupins increase soil nitrogen and encourages earthworms that in turn help drainage and aeration.
- Warm Temperate Areas for a garlic garden
- Garlic can be planted in fall through early winter if you live in a warm temperate area. Assuming warm fall garlic will remain dormant for several weeks after planting and then will begin to develop roots. As the weather gets colder the growth of garlic will slow until warmer spring weather arrives.
- Winters chill is needed by most garlic varieties we grow in the United States. The cold initiates the growth of garlic and the swelling of cloves, and with several types of garlic the flower bud.
- As spring days become longer the garlic cloves are exposed to sunlight and warmer temperatures and accelerate in development.
- It is possible for an early spring planting of garlic, but the weather is going to be against you most years. The wet soil will be tough to work with, and very little garlic root growth will take place.
- If you decide to try a spring planting (I always do) be sure to have enough garlic planted in the fall to cover your garlic needs just in case. This year (2008) spring has been unusually wet and cold in our hometown of Vancouver, Washington. I do not hold a lot of hope for my spring crop of garlic but my fall crop of garlic looks great. Garlic should be planted after the first few frosts of autumn. If you live at higher latitudes your longer days will promote faster development of your garlic. Your shorter season usually means smaller garlic bulbs. Before winter comes you should put down about 6 inches of mulch to protect your garlic. Preparing the soil for your garlic garden – I have found that a deep, fertile, well drained soil should be prepared for your garlic garden. Add a good organic (if possible) fertilizer before you plant your garlic. Your gardens soils pH should be between 6.5 – 7.0. I also like to add lime several months before planting. If you have a compost pile add lots of rotted compost to your garlic garden.
