subject: Improved Ways To Produce Garlic [print this page] Growing garlic is a matter of having the right climate conditions and the right soil conditions. There are three main groups of garlic, but we will be focusing on white garlic.
The growth of your garlic depends on where you live. A lot of garlic is grown in Central America to California and all the way up to New York. California garlic is silver, while New York garlic is purple.
How to prepare the soil for your garlic plants:
The pH should be 6.5, unless there is limestone in the soil. The soil should be drained very well and fertile. Solid should be limed on a monthly basis. Compost is necessary and needs to be well rotted to provide the most benefits or the plant.
When should I plant?
Garlic growing is a long term commitment. If you live in a warm climate, you can plant in early winter. For several weeks, these plants will lie dormant. The winter planting should be done to establish roots and shoots that will later bud. As spring sets in, the side buds will develop into garlic cloves. Some gardeners like to grow in early spring, but will face many problems like poor root growth. Areas of the country where the temperatures are mild or moderate the bulbs can be planted in autumn. The plant might can withstand the cold if there is heavy mulching. When spring arrives then the mulch should be removed.
How to plant garlic:
Garlic is planted like any other bulb type plant. The larger end is the bottom, and placed in the ground so they stand upright. Space them four inches apart and cover them with an inch of dirt.
Being successful in your growing:
Garlic is difficult to home garden. You must face obstacles like weather, poor seeds, soil conditions, and diseases. These plants need the best drainage possible. Commercially grown garlic clove seeds are treated before planting which is something the home gardener cannot accomplish. Home gardeners who live in colder regions will have a better change at a successful crop especially if the seed cloves are commercially treated and if the soil is heavily treated prior to planting with extremely good drainage. Though moisture is a big problem for garlic, during dry periods they must be well watered. Be sure to consult an expert to be sure you are using the correct variety for your planting. Once harvested, the bulbs should be stored in a dry, well ventilated place at a temperate of about 50 degrees F.
