Garlic Planting Guide

Garlic, a timeless and globally beloved kitchen staple, is a treasure trove of medicinal benefits. Beyond its culinary charm, this humble herb has long been celebrated for its therapeutic properties, offering a spectrum of health advantages. Cultivating garlic in your own garden becomes not only a culinary delight but a hands-on experience in nurturing a potent ally for your family's well-being right at your fingertips.

Health Benefits of Garlic

Garlic boasts a spectrum of health benefits owing to compounds like allicin, diallyl disulfide, and other sulfur-containing elements, underscoring its significance in promoting antioxidant defenses, mitigating inflammation, and fortifying the immune system.

• Antioxidant Power: Garlic protects cells from damage with its potent antioxidants.
• Heart Health: It lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol, and promotes cardiovascular health.
• Immune Boost: Allicin has been shown to stimulate the production of white blood cells, strengthening the immune system, aiding in illness prevention.
• Anti-Inflammatory: Reduces inflammation, potentially preventing chronic diseases.
• Cancer Protection: Garlic has been associated with potential protective effects against colorectal, stomach, and esophageal cancers, although more research is needed to establish definitive conclusions on its impact.
• Detoxification: Supports the body's natural detox processes.
• Respiratory Support: Alleviates respiratory conditions and cold symptoms.
• Blood Sugar Control: Contributes to better blood sugar regulation.
• Antimicrobial Properties: Acts as a natural antibacterial and antiviral agent.
• Digestive Health: Promotes digestive health by aiding gut bacteria and digestion.

Selecting Garlic Varieties:

Choose garlic varieties that are well-suited to the Australian climate. Some popular varieties include Glenlarge (Early Purple), Italian White, and Giant Russian and Tasmanian Purple. Purchase bulbs from reputable nurseries or farmers to ensure quality that are sold as seed garlic, not culinary. Planting seed garlic rather than culinary garlic is recommended because seed garlic is specifically grown and selected for optimal germination and disease resistance. Culinary garlic from the grocery store may not have the same quality assurance for successful growth, as it might be imported, be an older stock that has been in cool storage for the year, treated with growth inhibitors or be more prone to diseases. Seed garlic ensures a better chance of a successful and robust garlic crop in your garden.

When to Plant:

Garlic is typically planted in autumn, from March to May, before the cold winter months. This allows the bulbs to establish roots before the growing season. It's best to chat with growers in your local area to get a finer pinpoint on when best to plant for your specific climate. 

Site Selection:

Garlic thrives in well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight. Choose a location with full sun exposure and ensure the soil is enriched with organic matter. Avoid waterlogged areas to prevent rot.

Soil Preparation:

Prior to planting, incorporate well-rotted compost or aged manure into the soil. Garlic prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5.

Planting Garlic:

Break apart the garlic bulbs into individual cloves, ensuring each clove has a basal plate. The basal plate of garlic refers to the flattened, bottom portion of a garlic clove from which roots emerge. It is the part of the garlic clove that should be planted in the soil when growing garlic. The basal plate is often broader and flatter than the rest of the clove, and it is the point from which roots will develop as the garlic clove begins to sprout and establish itself in the soil. When planting garlic, it's essential to position the basal plate facing down in the soil to ensure proper root development and healthy growth of the garlic plant. Plant the cloves approximately 5-8 cm deep, with the pointed end facing up. Space the cloves about 15-20 cm apart in rows that are 30-40 cm apart.

Watering:

Keep the soil moist, especially during dry spells. However, avoid overwatering as garlic is susceptible to rot in waterlogged conditions. Mulch the soil to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Fertilisation:

Fertilise the garlic plants with a balanced organic fertiliser in early spring when they start actively growing. Avoid high nitrogen fertilisers, as this can encourage excessive foliage growth at the expense of bulb development. There have been some experiments done by seasoned garlic growers where soaking the garlic in a fertiliser solution bath before planting encourages faster root development and gives the garlic bulb a headstart once put into the ground. Read more about that here. 

Weeding:

Regularly remove weeds around the garlic plants to reduce competition for nutrients. Mulching with sugar cane mulch or similar can help control weeds and maintain soil moisture.

Harvesting:

Garlic is typically ready for harvest in late spring or early summer, around 8-10 months after planting. Harvest when the lower leaves start turning yellow but still have some green leaves at the top. Gently dig up the bulbs with a fork, being careful not to damage them.

Curing and Storage:

After harvesting, cure the garlic by allowing it to dry in a well-ventilated, shaded area for 2-3 weeks. Once dried, trim the roots and store the bulbs in a cool, dry place. Properly cured garlic can last for many months. Softneck varieties of garlic can be braided by their stems while fresh and then left to dry, which makes for a visually pleasing kitchen decoration or thoughtful gift. An interesting study conducted by Cornell University suggests that the leaving dirty method of curing and storing garlic may reduce bacterial conditions, rot, fungus and discolouration in comparison to garlic that has been washed upon harvest. 

Stay tuned for a future article where we talk about all the amazing ways you can use your garlic harvest in both your meals and your homemade medicines.

 Happy garlic growing!