Garlic is a member of the Allium family, which also includes onion, leeks, shallots and chives. It is one the easiest crops that you can grow in your garden or even in pots. Garlic is a very friendly plant and grows well planted with flowers and other vegetables. It is grown for its characteristic pungent, spicy flavor. A bulb of garlic, the most commonly used part of the plant, is divided into numerous fleshy sections called cloves. The cloves are used as seed or for consumption. The leaves, stems and flowers are also edible. There are pink and white- skinned forms and many selections.
Plant garlic in your garden in mid autumn, in an open place with full sun and in a soil that is not too damp. Prepare your garden soil in advance by adding compost or manure. You can also plant garlic in spring, but it needs a period of one to two months at about 0-10 Celsius degrees (32-50 F). If grown in pots, use a quality potting mix. Plant cloves individually, upright and about 2.5 cm under the soil surface and about 10 cm apart. Rows should be about 30-45 cm apart. Dig a small hole for each clove. The bulbs tend to push themselves upwards as they grow.
To produce large bulbs, garlic needs a long growing season, so where possible plant cloves in autumn. If you live in a very cold area or your garden soil is too heavy, delay planting until the early spring or plant the cloves in modules in winter. Place the modules in a sheltered position outdoors to provide them with the necessary cold period. Plant them out after they have started to sprout in spring.
You can start to harvest your garlic when the foliage starts to die back. You can leave a few in the ground for a second season. Dry them thoroughly after lifting. Store bulbs in a cool, dry place, at 5-10 Celsius degrees (41-50 F), in bunches or plaits made with the dried leaves or place them loose on trays.
