Garlic, with its numerous health benefits, is a valuable addition to any garden. To ensure a bountiful harvest of this superfood, it’s essential to know when, where, and how to plant garlic. In this short guide, we’ll explore the key steps to successfully cultivate garlic in your vegetable garden.
When to plant garlic in the garden?
The ideal time for planting garlic depends on the variety. Pink and red garlic are typically planted in spring, either in February (southern regions) or March-April (northern regions). On the other hand, purple or white garlic is planted in autumn. In humid regions, it’s advisable to plant when warmer weather returns to prevent bulb rot. Practice patience, as garlic requires about a month for emergence and harvesting. Water moderately and hoe to remove weeds during this period. Harvest when the stems start to wilt.
When to plant garlic with the Moon?
Consider planting garlic using the lunar calendar, favoring the days of the waxing/descending Moon. In autumn, around October, or in spring, between February and April (waxing Moon), depending on the variety (white, red, pink, purple garlic). In March, plant between the 5th and 17th. In April, between the 1st and 13th. Avoid planting during periods of apogee, perigee, and lunar nodes.
How to get big heads of garlic?
To achieve large garlic cloves, the planting method is crucial. Leave 15-20 cm between bulbs and 40 cm between rows. Follow these maintenance steps:
- Choose the best variety for your area.
- Keep garlic cool during growth.
- Provide rich, well-drained soil.
- Plant large bulbs for large cloves.
- Regularly weed to avoid competition.
- Water abundantly for large pods.
- Remove scapes, the flower stems, in spring.
- Harvest at the right time when tops are a third brown.
By practicing these maintenance actions and ensuring proper planting, you can guarantee a healthy and abundant garlic harvest. Regular hoeing to prevent rot is crucial, and breaking up the crust of dry earth around the plants promotes root development.
How to plant garlic in the vegetable garden? In what soil?
Garlic thrives in well-drained soil and dislikes heavy soil prone to rot. Opt for clay-siliceous or clay-limestone soil. Avoid planting in recently manured soil; the last addition of cow manure should be a year old.
Planting Steps:
- If the soil is heavy, add sand.
- Make a mound enriched with sand, 15 cm high and 20 cm wide.
- Place garlic cloves in the ground with the point upwards.
- Space them 10 cm in all directions.
- Weed the land regularly.
Note: Avoid planting garlic in the same plot for five years to prevent diseases and pests.
By following these steps, you can enjoy a continuous supply of fresh garlic, a versatile and beneficial addition to your culinary and health routines.
