Before you start planting your garlic, it’s important to understand the basic growing conditions for the variety you’re interested in. Fertilizing, harvesting, and soil conditions are all important factors to consider. Read on to learn about the benefits and drawbacks of both softneck and hardneck varieties. Fertilizing your garlic with balanced fertilizers is ideal, but if you’re growing it for its bulb, you may want to consider using high-nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizers. It’s also important to avoid overwatering, which can strip it of nutrients. any countries grow quality garlic but if you want the purest and freshest then you should insist on Garlic seeds Australia.
Hardneck vs. softneck varieties
There are several hardneck and softneck garlic varieties. Hardneck varieties produce bulbs with fewer cloves, a flower scape or flower stock in midsummer, and a single row of cloves enclosed in a papery sheath. They grow like softnecks and are harder and more winter-hardy than their softneck counterparts. These two garlic types are similar in size and flavor, but hardneck varieties typically produce bigger heads.
Fertilizing
The timing of fertilizing your garlic is important. Fertilize in early spring before the plants begin to sprout. Follow the directions on the label for the amount of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium in the fertilizer. Apply fertilizer about two to three inches away from the garlic plants. Fertilize every three to four weeks. The best time to fertilize garlic is mid-May. Fertilizing garlic too early may stunt its growth.
Harvesting
When to harvest garlic? The exact timing varies from variety to variety. In general, you should harvest garlic when the leaves have begun to yellow or die, and the plant is at least 60 percent of the way full. The bulbs are ready to harvest when the proportion of green leaves to brown ones is approximately two-thirds. However, there are some special considerations you should make to ensure your garlic is fresh and of the highest quality. Learn when to harvest garlic from your garden.
Soil conditions
The best soil conditions for planting garlic are rich in organic matter, full sun, and a soil that is well drained. Garlic grows best in a bed that is at least 10 inches deep and two feet wide. The soil should be enriched with compost before planting. Use shredded leaves as mulch, which is abundant in fall. Similarly, any type of organic mulch will work well. The goal is to keep weeds at bay, but be aware that some types of soil are not ideal for planting.
Thrips injury
Thrips are tiny, insect pests that attack the leaves of plants in the Allium family. While thrips may not kill the plants, the damage they cause can make them vulnerable to disease. To prevent thrips from damaging your plants, keep your garlic patch weed-free. Also, use insecticidal soap on your plants to discourage thrips.
Growing in a raised bed
If you want to grow garlic, consider planting it in a raised bed. Raised beds are warmer and don’t freeze as quickly as ground soil. Garlic plants should be planted after the first fatal frost in the fall, when the soil is still workable and the temperature is above freezing. If you are growing garlic in a raised bed, a generous layer of mulch will protect the plants from cold. Watering the bed once a week should be enough to hydrate the top six inches of soil.
Choosing a variety
Before planting your garlic plants, make sure you know what kind you want. Most varieties come from the cloves of the previous year’s bulbs. If you only have a few heads, you can try growing them yourself. However, you should avoid purchasing supermarket varieties because these have been treated with chemicals and will not produce proper garlic. Moreover, you need to know how to cultivate your garlic plants properly, so read this article to learn more about planting garlic.
