At a glimpse

Garlic , a various andflavorful lightbulb , is a must - have for any house gardener . Planting garlic is a uncomplicated yet rewarding task that can provide you with a bountiful harvest for months to come . This comprehensive pathfinder will walk you through every step of the planting procedure , ascertain you have intelligent and booming garlic plants .

Choosing the Right Garlic Variety

There are twomain typesof garlic : hardneck and softneck . Hardneck garlic produce astiff stalkwith bulblet ( lowly cloves ) at the top , while softneck garlic has a soft stalk and no bulbil . Choose the variety that best suits your climate and storage need .

Preparing the Soil

Garlic prefers well - drained , loamy soilwith a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 . rectify the dirt with compost or manure to improve its natality and drainage . Loosen the dirt to a depth of at least 12 inches to provide for right tooth root ontogenesis .

Selecting Healthy Cloves

select firm , unblemished garlic cloves fromhealthy bulb . Avoid using clove that are voiced , bruised , or have signs of modeling . Break aside thecloves carefully , leave behind the papery hide intact .

Planting the Garlic

When to institute : flora garlicin the fall , 4 - 6 week before the firsthard frost . This leave the cloves todevelop rootsbefore winter dormancy . Spacing : Plant cloves4 - 6 inches apart and 2 - 3 inches deep . Point thepointy endof the Eugenia aromaticum upwardly . Mulching : Mulch around the Allium sativum with chaff , leave , or compost to insulate the soil and suppress weeds .

Watering and Fertilizing

Watering : piss thegarlic regularly , especially duringdry spells . Avoid overwatering , as this can lead to rot . fertilize : Fertilize the garlic once a month with a balanced fertilizer .

Harvesting and Storing

When to reap : Harvest garlicwhen theleaves starttoturn yellowand the bulb are firm . How to reap : mildly digup the bulbs using agarden forkor shovel . Brush off any spare land and allow the bulbs to dry in a well - ventilated areafor 2 - 3 weeks . stash away : Store garlicin a coolheaded , ironic shoes withgood ventilation . Properly stored garlic can last for several months .

Troubleshooting Common Problems

yellow Leaves : Yellowing leavescan point overwatering , alimental inadequacy , or disease . piano Rot : Soft rotis a bacterial disease that causes the bulbs to become soft and mushy . Remove taint bulb immediately . Garlic Rust : Garlic rustis afungal diseasethat causes orangish or brownish spots on the leaf . Treat with a fungicide .

Q : Can Iplant garlicin the spring?A : Yes , butfall plantingisgenerally preferredfor good proceeds . Q : How deep should I plant ail cloves?A : Plant cloves2 - 3 inches deep . Q : How often should I irrigate garlic?A : Water garlic regularly , peculiarly duringdry charm . Avoid overwatering . Q : Can I usegarlic clovesfrom thegrocery storefor planting?A : Yes , but they may not be as authentic as Eugenia caryophyllatum from a reputable semen supplier . Q : How do Iprevent garlicfrom sprout during storage?A : depot garlicin a cool , dry placewith in effect airing . lace the peak of the bulbs together to promote atmosphere circulation .