Description
Botanical name
Allium sativum L.
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Spacing
4 cloves per square foot
Depth
Plant cloves 5 cm (2″) deep. Firm the soil with your fingertips.
Requirements
Hottest and sunniest spot in your garden. pH around 6-6.5.
Germination
Over winter
Pests
Adapted to many climates, garlic is easy to grow and is bothered by few pests. Garlic is often planted as a companion to other plants to keep pests away.
Timing
Garlic cloves need to be planted in the late fall. We plant the cloves in late October or early November as we’re putting the beds to sleep for the winter.
Growing
Break apart head of garlic, but be careful not to damage the cloves. Press the clove into the earth. When spring growth begins, water to keep the soil slightly moist. As harvest approaches, watering should be less frequent to avoid moulding or staining. Garlic grows a “scape” that becomes curled at the top and ends up with seeds. Cut this scape off to redirect energy to bulb growth. The scape is absolutely delicious garlic taste – don’t throw it away!
Harvest
8 months
Season
Cool
Links
How to harvest garlic
Music Garlic
Jamie Oliver talks you through preparing garlic
