Whether you are a part-time gardener or a full-time farmer, garlic can be a productive item for you. The aroma and flavor make it an ideal choice for plant growth. You can also fetch the quality garlic products from the top suppliers.
If you plant garlic at the wrong time, the results cannot be fruitful, even if you are using high-end garlic products. The selection of the right time depends on the time. Do you want to know how, when, and where you should grow the garlic? If yes, this guide is for you. We will discuss the garlic growth and give expert tips.
Why should you prefer organic garlic?
Organic garlic is better than other types. Why? Because of the following features.
- Chemical-free. Production doesn’t go through the use of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides. It is 100% chemical-free.
- More nutrients. Organic garlic has slightly higher antioxidant levels. It makes it safer for human health and optimizes the immune system.
- Better flavor. Pungent and complex flavor makes it a staple food in the restaurant and professional kitchens.
- Sustainability. Since you are using organic garlic, it promotes soil health and biodiversity. There is no environmental pollution!
What is the best time to plant organic garlic?
It depends on your preferences. For example, the optimal time for growth during winter is different from that during summer.
Let’s check both components here.
In Cold Climates
The best time is 4–6 weeks before the ground freezes. The mid to end of autumn allows root development before the deep freeze and provides a trigger for the growth.
In Warm Climates
A warm climate is good for growth. However, the best time varies from late fall to early winter. Garlic uses cool temperatures to break dormancy and form bulbs.
Step-by-Step Guide to Plant Organic Garlic
Are you ready to enter the first DIY organic garlic planting process? There are five simple steps to plant your organic garlic.
Step 1: Select and Prepare Soil
Only good quality garlic doesn’t work out. It should have an optimal growth environment. For example, garlic needs 6-8 hours of sunlight exposure for growth. There should be a sound drainage system for better aeration and nutrient supply to the roots.
The soil should have the following features.
- pH should be slightly acidic or neutral. 6.0 to 7.0 is good enough.
- The texture of the soil can be loamy and crumbly.
- Add plenty of compost or well-rotted manure.
Here are three crucial steps to prepare your soil for growth.
- Remove weeds. Garlic does not compete well with weeds. You can remove them.
- Loosen the soil. Go 8–12 inches deep to ensure root penetration and proper growth space.
- Add compost, bone meal, kelp meal, and lime if the soil is too acidic.
Step 2: Separate Cloves and Bulbs
Once you are ready for the implantation, prepare the garlic well. You should separate the cloves from the bulbs. Check if the skin is intact and avoid the damaged cloves.
Here is precisely what you should do.
- Do this 1–2 days before planting.
- Keep the papery skins on each clove.
- Use only the largest, healthiest cloves.
Step 3: Mark Rows and Spacing
Rows and spacing provide plenty of surface area to distribute the nutrients and grow garlic very well. Here are a few tips for rows and spacing.
- Rows should be 10–12 inches apart and provide a better growth area.
- Cloves should be implanted at least 4–6 inches apart. The plenty of space boosts growth.
- Depth should be 2–3 inches deep with a tip pointing up.
Step 4: Plant and Water garlic
Once your soil is ready, you can plant your first garlic clove.
- Place the garlic deep inside the soil, and the tip should point up. Fill the depth with the soil and press down gently.
- Now you can water the plant. Remember to keep watering sufficiently. Over or underwatering can cause a lack of growth and decreased productivity.
Step 5: Mulching
Mulching can provide sufficient growth. It is essential for organic garlic. Typical materials for mulching include straw, shredded leaves, and grass clippings. The depth should be 3–6 inches.
The benefits of mulching are:
- Suppresses weed growth and lets the garlic sprout out of cloves and grow better in an optimal environment.
- Retains moisture and provides a medium for the garlic’s growth.
- Insulates against temperature swings and doesn’t hurt garlic due to temperature extremes.
- Prevents soil erosion so you can optimize your soil.
How and when to harvest garlic?
Once you have planted the garlic, there comes the time of reward. Most farmers have one question: When should they harvest garlic?
The harvesting time depends on two factors— types and signs.
- Softneck varieties have different growth periods. Therefore, you can harvest late spring to early summer.
- Hardneck varieties are good to go with Mid to late summer harvesting. They bear a high temperature range compared to soft garlic.
There are a few signs to look at when harvesting the garlic.
- Bottom 3–4 leaves turn brown while the top ones are still green.
- Don’t wait until all leaves die—bulbs can split or rot.
Once you have got the right time near, it is super easy to harvest. Here is the method to harvest.
- Use a garden fork. Loosen the soil from the sides to pull the garlic out.
- Once the soil is loose, give a gentle pull. Garlic should come —do not tug by the stalk.
- Harvest slowly and thoroughly so its bulbs are intact. Don’t harvest aggressively. Also, avoid damaging the bulbs.
Conclusion
The summer-to-fall period is the best period for garlic growth. Once you have chosen the right time, 90% of the job is done. The second thing is the quality that affects the growth. Bring both the quality and the proper planting to become a profitable business.
Do you want to know where you can get the right quality garlic products? Fenduni Garlic suppliers are here. We feature the premium garlic items and give expert tips on the growth. Our comprehensive logistical setup exports products globally.