Garlic Plant Profile
Garlic is an edible member of the onion family and one of
the easiest plants to grow. Its region of origin is unclear, but it has been
grown in Europe and the Mediterranean for thousands of years.
Hardneck garlic types (Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon) do best in the
Mid-Atlantic where there’s a real winter and distinct four seasons. ‘Purple
Stripe’, ‘German White’, and ‘Music’ are some reliable varieties.
Around the end of October, plant your seed garlic in
well-draining soil in full sun. Insert the cloves root-side down (pointy-side
up) about 6 inches apart on center, burying the tips about 2 inches down. Green
shoots will come up in a few weeks; mulch around them with straw. Keep the bed
weed-free so the garlic can develop a healthy root system.
Hardneck garlic will form curling scapes by mid-May. Cut
them off and use in recipes as you would scallions or garlic. This will direct
the plants energy into making a larger bulb, rather than flowering and forming
seeds.
The bulbs are usually ready to harvest by the end of June
when most of the lower leaves have browned. The upper ones can still look
green. Be careful when harvesting garlic as those bulb heads are more delicate
than they seem. Choose an overcast day when the soil is dry. Loosen the soil
with a digging fork, inserting it well away from the heads, then lift them out
of the ground gently and shake off any excess soil.
Let the whole plants dry in a single layer out of the sun,
where it’s warm, but not too hot. When the outer skin turns papery after a
couple weeks of curing, brush off as much dirt as possible and clip off the
shaggy roots.
The ideal temperature for storing garlic is between 55 and
70 degrees F, with moderate humidity and good air circulation (in other words, not
in plastic bags) and out of direct sunlight.
Garlic: You Can Grow That!
The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine as part of our Plant Profile series for Mid-Atlantic USA gardeners.
Audio and text by Kathy Jentz
Video and editing by Brandie Bland
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