Garlic is a versatile and tasty ingredient that is a staple in many cuisines around the world.
Not only does it add delicious flavor to meals, it also has many health benefits, making it a valuable addition to any garden. Growing garlic is relatively easy and can be done in any size garden or even in containers.
Let’s look at everything you need to know to successfully grow garlic and enjoy a bountiful harvest.
Types of garlic
It’s a good idea to try many different types of garlic, as each variety has its own unique flavor and characteristics, which can add depth and complexity to your dishes. The flavor of garlic can range from mild and sweet to spicy and pungent, and trying different types can help you discover new flavors and improve your culinary repertoire.
Garlic can come from many parts of the world, including Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Each region has its own varieties of garlic that have been grown for centuries, and exploring these varieties can be a fun and educational way to learn about different cultures and cuisines.
Whether you grow your own garlic or you are looking for different varieties in your local market, trying different types of garlic can be a delicious and rewarding culinary adventure. Here is a list of the 5 main types of garlic that you can consider planting.
Rocambole Garlic-This is a popular variety of garlic that has a rich and complex flavor with a hint of sweetness. It has papery skin and a curly scape.
Porcelain garlic-This variety has a delicate, creamy taste and is known for its large cloves. It has a thick and durable skin that makes it ideal for storage.
Purple Striped Garlic – This garlic has a rich, spicy flavor and beautiful purple striped skin. It is often used in traditional Eastern European dishes.
Artichoke garlic-This is a variety of soft-necked garlic that is easy to grow and has a mild, sweet taste. It has a tight, laminated skin and can be braided for easy storage.
Elephant garlic-Although it is not technically garlic, elephant garlic is part of the Allium family and has a mild garlic-like flavor. It has large cloves and a thick, papery skin.
Soft Neck Garlic vs Hard Neck Garlic
Soft-necked garlic, also known as artichoke garlic, is the most common type of garlic in grocery stores. It has a flexible shaft that can be braided, which makes it easy to store. Soft-necked garlic usually has a milder flavor and smaller cloves than hard-necked garlic. It also tends to produce more cloves per bulb, making it a popular choice for commercial growers.
Hard-necked garlic, also known as stiff-necked garlic, has a stiff stem that cannot be braided. It produces a stem, or flower stem, which must be removed to promote bulb growth. Hard-necked garlic usually tastes stronger and more complex than soft-necked garlic and larger cloves with easier skin to peel. It also tends to be more resistant to cold and better adapted to colder climates.
How to plant and harvest garlic
Planting and harvesting garlic is relatively easy, which makes it an excellent choice for both experienced gardeners and beginners.
Garlic is usually planted in the fall and requires little maintenance during the winter months. Once the weather heats up in the spring, the garlic will begin to grow and will be ready to be harvested in the middle of summer. Harvesting garlic is a simple process that involves loosening the soil around the bulbs and removing them from the soil.
After harvesting, the garlic must be dried for a few weeks before it can be stored. All in all, planting and harvesting garlic requires minimal effort and can be a great way to enjoy a bountiful harvest of tasty and nutritious garlic.
Preparation of garlic soil
Garlic prefers a soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Soil pH is important for garlic because it affects the availability of nutrients in the soil, and pH levels that are too high or too low can limit the growth and development of garlic plants.
If the soil pH is too low, adding lime can help increase it. If the pH is too high, the addition of sulfur can help reduce it. Testing the pH of the soil before planting garlic can help you ensure that your plants have optimal conditions for growth and can lead to a more effective harvest.
Planting garlic
Garlic is usually planted in the fall, about 4-6 weeks before the soil freezes. This allows garlic to establish roots before winter and start growing as soon as the soil thaws in the spring. To plant garlic, start by choosing a sunny place with well-drained soil. Before planting, prepare the soil by adding compost or well-decomposed manure to improve its fertility and structure. Then separate the bulbs into individual cloves, making sure to leave the papery skin intact.
Plant the pointed cloves upwards, about 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart, and cover with soil. Water the soil well and cover with a layer of mulch, such as straw or leaves, to protect the garlic from frost and weeds.
