Timestamps:

0:18 Garlic Varieties
1:35 Growing Conditions
2:07 Where to Get Seed Garlic
2:49 How to Plant
3:56 How to Care for Garlic
4:33 How & When to Harvest
5:43 How to Cure Garlic
6:21 How to Store Garlic
7:12 How to Save Seed Garlic

We eat a lot of garlic, but even with a small garden, we easily grow all the garlic we need. It's incredibly easy to grow in many climates and a great crop for beginning gardeners. Today I'll share how we grow garlic from clove to bulb.

OYR is all about growing a lot of food on a little land using sustainable organic methods, while keeping costs and labor at a minimum. Emphasis is placed on improving soil quality with compost and mulch. No store-bought fertilizers, soil amendments, pesticides, compost activators, etc. are used.

How We Grow, Cure & Store Garlic: From Clove to Bulb

Garlic is a versatile and essential ingredient in many cuisines around the world. Growing your own garlic can be a rewarding experience, and fortunately, it is relatively easy to cultivate, even for beginner gardeners. In this article, we will explore the process of growing garlic from cloves to bulbs, including tips on curing and storing garlic for long-term use.

Types of Garlic

There are two main types of garlic: hardneck and softneck. Hardneck garlic has a stiff stem, while softneck garlic has a more pliable stem that tends to fall over when it's ready to be harvested. Hardneck varieties, such as Music, Siberian, and Spanish Roja, are popular choices in colder climates due to their cold-hardiness. On the other hand, softneck garlic, including varieties like Jelly, Red California Early White, and California Late White, is commonly found in grocery stores. Softneck garlic is generally less cold-hardy than hardneck garlic, but there are suitable varieties for different regions.

It's worth mentioning that elephant garlic, while related to garlic, is not a true garlic but rather more closely related to leeks. Elephant garlic produces larger bulbs with a mild garlic flavor, but it is less cold-hardy than garlic. If you live in a colder climate, it's advisable to start elephant garlic early in the spring or consider planting it in a warm climate.

Growing Conditions

Garlic thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It prefers fertile, well-drained soil enriched with plenty of compost. The pH level of the soil should ideally be between 6 and 7. In colder climates, garlic is typically planted in the fall, goes dormant over the winter, and resumes growth in the spring when the soil temperature warms up. The optimal soil temperature for garlic growth ranges between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Garlic is not a heavy feeder and benefits from an annual application of compost or vermicompost. Mulching with leaves or other local organic materials helps suppress weeds, conserve moisture, and improve soil quality. The use of crop rotation is also recommended to prevent disease issues and maintain soil fertility. Avoid planting garlic in the same location where you previously grew garlic or other onion-related crops like onions, leeks, and shallots.

Planting Garlic

Before planting garlic, it's important to select high-quality cloves for the best results. There are three common sources for obtaining garlic cloves: commercial seed suppliers, organic garlic from grocery stores, and saved cloves from your previous harvest. Commercial seed suppliers offer a wide variety of garlic bulbs, while organic garlic from grocery stores can serve as a cost-effective option. When using saved cloves, it's crucial to ensure they are from disease-free bulbs.

To plant garlic, follow these steps:

1. Prepare the soil by loosening it and incorporating compost or vermicompost.
2. Separate the cloves from the bulb only when you're ready to plant to prevent the root nodules on the cloves from drying out.
3. Plant the cloves with the pointy side up and the blunt side down, about three inches deep and four to six inches apart.
4. Alternatively, you can create a three-inch-deep trench and plant the cloves in it before covering them with soil.
5. Mulch the planted area with autumn leaves to protect the garlic from cold temperatures, suppress weeds, attract earthworms, and conserve moisture.
6. In the spring, pull back some of the mulch to ensure it isn't inhibiting the growth of new green garlic shoots.
7. Garlic generally doesn't require excessive watering, relying mostly on rainfall. However, in dry climates, providing about an inch or two of water per week during the growing season can be beneficial.

Harvesting Garlic

Harvesting garlic is an exciting moment for gardeners, as it marks the culmination of your efforts. The timing of harvest depends on the type of garlic and the region's growing conditions. Hardneck garlic is typically ready for harvest in early to late July when at least a few of the leaves have turned yellow. Softneck garlic is ready to be harvested when the top flops over.

To harvest garlic, follow these steps:

1. Choose a dry day for harvesting to prevent excess moisture on the bulbs.
2. Stop watering the garlic a couple of weeks before harvest to allow the outer layers to dry.
3. Gently loosen the soil around the bulbs using a garden fork or simply pull them up by the stem if the soil is friable.
4. After harvesting, leave the stems intact and avoid separating the cloves from the bulb until you are ready to plant them again. This helps preserve the root nodules and allows the garlic to establish roots quickly.

Curing and Storing Garlic

Curing garlic is an essential step to ensure proper storage and prevent spoilage. Curing allows the garlic bulbs to dry evenly and prepares them for long-term storage over the winter. Here's how to cure garlic:

1. Hang or place the harvested garlic on racks in a shady, well-ventilated, and dry area for at least a couple of weeks. A covered porch or shed with an open door can serve as an excellent curing location.
2. If you choose to cure garlic indoors, using a fan to improve air circulation can help the garlic dry more evenly.
3. Softneck varieties tend to store better than hardneck varieties. However, with proper curing, hardneck garlic, such as Music, can also store well.
4. After the curing process, trim the stem to about an inch, remove any remaining soil by gently brushing it off, and separate damaged bulbs from healthy ones. It's advisable to use the damaged bulbs first, as they may not store as well.
5. Select the largest, healthiest bulbs for use as seed garlic in the following season.
6. Store the cured garlic in mesh bags, paper bags, woven baskets, or cardboard boxes in a cool, dry, and dark cupboard. The storage container should be breathable to prevent moisture buildup.

In conclusion, growing, curing, and storing garlic can be a satisfying endeavor, providing you with a year-round supply of this flavorful bulb. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can successfully cultivate your garlic from cloves to bulbs, ensuring a bountiful harvest and long-term storage for future use. Enjoy the rewarding experience of growing your own garlic and savor the delicious flavors it brings to your culinary creations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is the best time to plant garlic? Garlic is typically planted in the fall in colder climates and in early spring in milder regions.
2. Can I use garlic cloves from the grocery store for planting? Yes, you can use organic garlic cloves from the grocery store for planting. However, it's important to ensure they are organic to avoid growth inhibitors used on conventional garlic.
3. How should I store garlic for long-term use? Garlic can be stored in mesh bags, paper bags, woven baskets, or cardboard boxes in a cool, dry, and dark cupboard.
4. Can I save garlic cloves from my harvest for planting in the next season? Yes, saving garlic cloves from your harvest is an excellent way to propagate garlic for future crops. It allows the garlic to adapt to local growing conditions over time.
5. What are the differences between hardneck and softneck garlic? Hardneck garlic has a stiff stem and is more cold-hardy but generally doesn't store as well as softneck garlic, which has a more pliable stem. Softneck garlic is the type commonly found in grocery stores.

Video source: OYR Frugal & Sustainable Organic Gardening / Youtube