Caring for Your Garlic Garden:

Be aware of garlic root rotting disease and different stem and leaf diseases. The more leaf growth your garlic experiences before the bulb begins to develop, the bigger the garlic bulb and cloves will be.

While waiting for your garlic to develop there are several things you can do to prevent disease. As I mentioned earlier provide a free draining soil by mixing sand, organic potting soil and organic compost.

Once spring rolls in fertilizer your garlic every two weeks with small amounts of nitrogen fertilizer, spread 6” on both sides of the garlic plant. Garlic does not do well competing with weeds of any kind. For best results keep your garlic garden weeded.

Be careful if you use a hoe to maintain your garlic garden. I know from experience that there is nothing sadder than slicing off a piece of beautiful garlic bulb.

When dry be sure to keep your garlic garden watered. Mulch your garlic garden when dry to conserve water. Dry soil will affect the yield of your garlic garden. Raising Your Own Garlic Seed –

I encourage you to raise your own garlic seed. Pick out the biggest and healthiest looking garlic bulb(s) from your harvest. Leave the garlic cloves on the bulb.

Store your garlic seed bulb(s) in a cool-dry place. The ideal storage temperature for garlic is around 50F (10c), dry and well ventilated.

At planting time select only the best garlic seed from the bulb.