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Growing Garlic

How to grow garlic in containers, garden beds and allotments

Garlic

Family/Latin Name	Allium - sativum L
Type of Plant	Bulb - Crop Rotation Group = Others
Suitable for	Garden Beds, Allotments, large containers

See also:- Vegetable Growing Glossary | Container Growing | Buying Seeds & Plants

Plant Dimensions	Height 30cm/1ft - Spread up to 20cm/8"
Yield per plant	1 head (containing +10 cloves)
Time between planting sets and harvesting	22 weeks for April planted garlic
Where to plant sets	Outdoors in open ground or containers
Planting time	Late March-early April temperature +10C/50F Can also be planted in September- October for overwintering
How to plant (cloves only)	Divide a bulb of garlic into cloves, leaving the papery skins on. Plant 5cm/2-inches deep, pointy end up covering with about 2.5cm/1" of compost or soil. 15cm/6" apart in rows 30cm/12" apart or in groups/blocks. or 1 clove to a 15cm/6" pot.
After Germination	Keep the soil moist but not very wet and weed free.
Growing on - in Pots	Keep weed free. Water in dry weather and feed once or twice during the growing season.
Growing on - in open ground	Keep weed free. Water in dry weather and feed once or twice during the growing season.
Aftercare	Break off any flower stems which may appear. Stop watering in late August.
Harvesting	Once the foliage has turned yellow and toppled over, leave the bulbs for a further two weeks then carefully lift with a fork. Garlic which is not going to be used immediately should be spread out and left to dry (outside if the weather is clement or inside if damp). Discard any soft or damaged bulb, remove dirt and brittle stems and store in a cool, dark place for up to 8 months

Pests and Diseases

Companion Plants

Onion Fly
Indications	Yellow drooping leaves and maggots in the base of the bulbs
Treatment	None. Lift and burn infected plants
Prevention	Organic 1. Practise crop rotation. 2. Destroy any thinnings or broken leaves 3. Firm the soil around young plants very firmly Chemical Spray young plants with an insecticide containing chlorpyrifos
Stem and Bulb Eelworm
Indications	Young plants leaves become swollen and twisted. Bulbs have a soft feel to them and often split at the base. The worms are not visible to the naked eye.
Treatment	None - lift and burn infected plants
Prevention	Practice crop rotation
White Tip
Indications	Tips of leaves turn white and papery, spreading downwards
Treatment	Organic Lift and destroy badly infected plants Chemical Spray with an insecticide containing Dithane as soon as you see the first signs of disease
Prevention	Practice crop rotation

Downy Mildew
Indications	Yellow patches on leaves with a greyish mould underneath
Treatment	Organic Remove the infected leaves and apply an organic copper spray/dust to diseased and surrounding plants every 7-10 day Chemical Remove the infected leaves and spray with Dithane at first sign of attack
Prevention	Avoid damp or humid sites and overcrowding. Practice crop rotation.

Companion Flower Graphic

Grow Beetroot, Carrot, Lettuce, Cabbage Family close by.

Create a bio-diverse environment by planting flowers nearby to attract bees, ladybirds and other "friendlies".

To learn more about companion planting click here.

In the Kitchen

Storage: Loose or in net bags for 2-3 weeks in a cool, dark, dry place.

Preparing: Break off individual cloves as needed then peel the papery skin off.

Cooking: Due to its pungent flavour and aroma, garlic is primarily used as a flavouring. However, whole cloves or even whole bulbs can be slow roasted and served as an accompaniment as it takes on a sweet mild flavour.

When adding to recipes, in general, it is best to slice thinly or chop finely and until you are used to the taste, use garlic sparingly.

For more preparation and cooking information about garlic plus lots of recipes visit our sister site www.recipes4us.co.uk.

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