GARLIC
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Posted: Sep/06/2008 3:50 PM PST
HI, I TRIED GROWING GARLIC AND HAD SOME SUCCESS BUT WAS WONDERING IF THERE'S ANYONE WHO HAS GREAT SUCCESS AT GROWING IT, IF SO DO TELL. |
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Posted: Sep/06/2008 5:58 PM PST
There are several discussions about garlic in the veggie section of this site. Here is one of them that's a little old.. http://my.gardenguides.com/forums/topic/13588 Also, in a topic I started regarding potatoes and garlic.. witt provided me with a link to a website that was very informative about garlic in our area. Here is the link: http://www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com/growsouth.htm |
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Posted: Oct/18/2008 6:45 AM PST
I start it in November. I'm zone 8b/9a for now. I break up the bulbs, separating the cloves. Leave the skin in place. Hardneck will tend to peel itself, but this is not a problem. I place the cloves in a tray such that the root end is down. I add water to the tray to induce sprouting. Within a couple of days new roots will appear. A few more days, along comes green leaves. When the leaves are an inch or two long, into the beds they go. Beds are prepared with fresh compost, and in no small amount. Churn up the soil as deep as you can to loosen it, distribute the compost, and get the air to it. If you will be adding slow release amendments such as bone meal, this is the time to do it. Cloves are spaced about every 4-5". Closer than that, the plants will be too close to form bulbs. Further apart, the space is not being fuly utilized. Put the sprouted clove at a depth such that just the very tip is showing above the soil. When the shoot is 3-4" above the soil, mulch the hlel out of it. Garlic does not compete well with weeds, the mulch keeps them down. Since the bulbs will be overwintering, the mulch offers a layer of insulation against the cold. Come spring, when the weather is right, the plants will start growing again. Even water is a must. Too much or not enough will stunt the plant or cause the young bulb to rot rather than grow. Around April, or 2 months before harvest time, increase the water level. Garlic needs ample water to produce a bulb. If side dressing, this is the time to do it. When the leaves are half brown or more, knock them down. A shovel handle will do the job. Letting the plants continue without being knock down will allow the cloves to separate. You still get garlic, but they will get full of dirt. A couple weeks after you knock the down, pull them out of the ground. If you are going to wash them, this is the time to do it. If you do wash them, getting the excess water off the plants is important, lest mildew develops. A couple hours in the sun will dry them out. To cure the garlic, put the them in a shady spot with good air flow. I spread them out on the top of a picnic table under a couple of palm tree. When the time is right the leaves will pull off, leaving a bulb ready for you to do with as you please. |
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Posted: Oct/24/2008 3:58 PM PST
Thank you, that was most informative but there is one thing I'm not too clear on. What do you mean when you say knock them down? Please elaborate. Just hangin out floridagirl |
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Posted: Oct/24/2008 9:54 PM PST
Oh durn. I just planted mine (Chinese pink -very early, and Bavarian Purple, later but a great keeper) without sprouting them in water first. Prolly ruined the whole batch. I have them in very nice light compost-rich dirt though and well mulched so hopefully all is not lost. I will follow the rest of Kpeavey's instructions! Oh and I have a question too. Should I trim off any flower stalks they produce? I see them in the markets in May after the garlic farms cut them back. |
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Posted: Oct/25/2008 10:45 AM PST
Well, I planted mine too early as well...without sprouting first..guess I got some wrong info. Do I stand a chance? I'm in zone 8b (I think) north of Gainesville Florida. |
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Posted: Oct/29/2008 12:38 PM PST
Quote: Originally posted by cgar Well, I planted mine too early as well...without sprouting first..guess I got some wrong info. Do I stand a chance? I'm in zone 8b (I think) north of Gainesville Florida.I have never sprouted my garlic first and I don't remember my dad or sister doing it either. We just put them in the ground about now and mulch carefully and wait until next summer to harvest. My first time in planting garlic I planted it in march and that same summer I had garlic coming out of my ears and it was big and strong flavoured. This year I hope to get it planted in the next week or so. |
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Posted: Oct/29/2008 2:38 PM PST
This is my first time, so will let that bed stand as is and see what happens. I'm just so sick and tired of going to the grocery and all the garlic is imported from China!!! Thanks all for the advice on garlic! |
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Posted: Oct/29/2008 8:23 PM PST
I tried growing garlic in the summer and had no success. I'm going to try again if I can find some space in my garden bed. I've got 5 or 6 different varieties of tomatoes and another 5 or 6 types of peppers that aren't all in the ground yet! |
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Posted: Oct/30/2008 7:21 AM PST
Quote: Originally posted by floridagirl Thank you, that was most informative but there is one thing I'm not too clear on. What do you mean when you say knock them down? Please elaborate.Just hangin out floridagirl I was curious about this too... |
