Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is grown for its numerous culinary uses and also for its herbal medical properties. The plant is a member of the onion family and has been in cultivation for thousands of years. It is estimated that there are over 600 varieties currently available. There are varieties for cold regions and more temperate locations. Planting garlic in the spring has its advantages. The plant will suffer less winter damage and survival will be more likely, according to the Government of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development office.
1. Buy the garlic gloves.
2. Mix a ratio of 50 percent peat moss with 50 percent garden soil. Garlic prefers to be planted in well-drained soil with adequate nutrients. Mix 2 pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet into the garden soil and peat moss one week prior to planting.
3. Gently break the large bulb of garlic apart into cloves. Only use large cloves to plant. The larger the clove, the greater the size of the garlic yield. Separation should be done 24 hours prior to planting. Planting cloves within 24 hours of division helps ensure that the root bases are not allowed to dry out or the clove will loose its ability to grow a rapid root system successfully.
4. Space each garlic clove 8 inches apart to allow the plants ample room to grow and produce. Crowding garlic will often result in smaller garlic bulbs. Plant the garlic with the clove tip 2 inches below the soil and pointing straight up.
5. Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch over the newly planted garlic. Peat moss, bark chips, sawdust or leaf mulch are ideal. The mulch will help keep weeds at bay and help the soil retain its moisture content.
6. Water the garlic to keep the soil moist but not water-logged. Three weeks after planting, fertilize the garlic using a 10-10-10 fertilizer at a ratio of one pound per 100 square feet. Cease watering the last few weeks before harvest. This would be miracle gro.
7. Harvest the garlic when the leaves begin to die back and turn yellow. Gently pull the bulbs from the ground using your hands with a pair of gloves on. Harvest can usually be achieved six to eight weeks after planting depending on the variety grown. Taken from http://www.gardenguides.com/99045-plant-garlic-spring.html Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty
1. Buy the garlic gloves.
2. Mix a ratio of 50 percent peat moss with 50 percent garden soil. Garlic prefers to be planted in well-drained soil with adequate nutrients. Mix 2 pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet into the garden soil and peat moss one week prior to planting.
3. Gently break the large bulb of garlic apart into cloves. Only use large cloves to plant. The larger the clove, the greater the size of the garlic yield. Separation should be done 24 hours prior to planting. Planting cloves within 24 hours of division helps ensure that the root bases are not allowed to dry out or the clove will loose its ability to grow a rapid root system successfully.
4. Space each garlic clove 8 inches apart to allow the plants ample room to grow and produce. Crowding garlic will often result in smaller garlic bulbs. Plant the garlic with the clove tip 2 inches below the soil and pointing straight up.
5. Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch over the newly planted garlic. Peat moss, bark chips, sawdust or leaf mulch are ideal. The mulch will help keep weeds at bay and help the soil retain its moisture content.
6. Water the garlic to keep the soil moist but not water-logged. Three weeks after planting, fertilize the garlic using a 10-10-10 fertilizer at a ratio of one pound per 100 square feet. Cease watering the last few weeks before harvest. This would be miracle gro.
7. Harvest the garlic when the leaves begin to die back and turn yellow. Gently pull the bulbs from the ground using your hands with a pair of gloves on. Harvest can usually be achieved six to eight weeks after planting depending on the variety grown. Taken from http://www.gardenguides.com/99045-plant-garlic-spring.html Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty
