Gardening Methods

info on growing garlic… how do i start it, how does it grow, when do i harvest…?

i’m starting my herbs and veggies for the year and i would love to plant some garlic. i’ve seen sprouted heads, but i don’t have one now. how do i get a head to sprout, how do i plant them, what are ideal growing conditions and how long does it live? are there diseases i should worry about? does garlic help in any way to repel pest from the yard?

Good Evening Puddlejumper_one,

My first and most important tip would be: If you are going to grow garlic than grow the best. What does that mean? Ninety (90%) per cent of the vegetables and fruits in the grocery stores are not the best as far as taste and flavor. Commercial farmers grow a variety of vegetables which can import and export better.

Garlic is one of those vegetables. Most garlic is imported from China. The taste, smell, and flavor is not the best, but it does export better than other varieties of garlic. Also, most people would not know the difference. They have nothing to compare.

Cooking with good garlic is awesome. If you want people’s eyes to light up after tasting a good stew, try a good variety of garlic. There are over a hundred varieties of garlic. It is my favorite vegetable to grow. Do yourself a big favor. Try and get some garlic bulbs from Gilroy, California. They grow one of the best in the world. Their garlic festival each year draws people from all over the world. Hopefully, web site below can link you to a supplier.

http://www.Garlicfestival.com/

Your question: Most, not all, grocery store garlic is treated with an anti-sprouting agent. It will not grow. Take apart each garlic clove from the whole garlic bulb. Each clove will produce a whole new bulb in about three months. This does depend on the time you plant, type of soil, and the area inwhich you live. Garlic is very easy to grow.

Most gardeners plant garlic in the fall before the snow. The garlic will be ready around April-May. I live in Southern California. I plant all year round. Plant about three (3) inches deep with sharp side up. I add a little mulch both top and bottom of the hole. I only use chicken manure on all my vegetables. Chicken manure is the best. Harvest your garlic when the green tops first start to turn brown.

I have been a gardener for sixty (60) years. I started in the hills of Kentucky at the age of three with my (smile) uncle’s help. I have nine rare fruit trees and a 20×20 ft vegetable garden. You and your family have a great week, from Los Angeles.

Maintaining a Garden : How to Control Major Garden Pests