How to plant and grow garlic

Home grown garlic tastes better than anything you can buy in the supermarket Image: Shutterstock

Garlic is a staple ingredient in many of our favourite dishes, and it tastes even better when it comes fresh from your own garden. It’s easy to grow, doesn’t need a great deal of space and is relatively foolproof if you’ve never grown it before.

Don’t be tempted to try planting the bulbs you buy from the supermarket – they’re prone to disease and are often unsuitable for our climate. For healthy and successful plants, buy quality garlic bulbs from an online supplier or pick some up from a local garden centre.

There are two main varieties of garlic – Hardneck or Softneck. Hardneck varieties produce flower stems known as ‘scapes’, which can be used in salads and stir-fries in addition to the bulbs themselves. They don’t store as well as Softneck varieties but they’re thought to be more flavoursome.

Softneck garlic is the variety you’re likely to find in the supermarket, and has a milder flavour and significantly longer shelf-life. This variety does not flower.

How to plant garlic

Sunny areas with good drainage are best Image: Shutterstock

The best time to plant garlic is October to February, but many experienced gardeners believe you get a better crop by planting in the autumn. Be sure to check the packet for variety-specific advice.

The ideal growing environment is a sunny, well drained area, protected from birds. Make sure the soil has not been recently used for garlic, and has been mixed with good compost and allowed time to rest.

Break the bulb apart into cloves just before planting, taking care not to bruise them. These should be planted about an inch deep and approximately six inches apart. Bury them root downwards, with the points facing up.

Common garlic growing problems

Regular weeding is a must Image: Shutterstock

Garlic will need watering during drier periods of spring and early summer, but hold off in the weeks leading up to harvest when the bulbs are well-formed. The leaves will start to yellow as the time to lift your crop approaches. Cut any flowers that form and keep the area free from weeds.

Garlic is easy to grow, but there are two main problems that you’ll need to keep an eye out for. If either of these infections occur, dispose of infected plants and don’t grow garlic, leeks or onions in the same spot for at least three years. The two most common problems are:

White rot

This is a fungus that can attack growing bulbs. It’s identifiable by the yellowing and wilting of the leaves, and causes decay of the roots and later the bulb. Once white rot has set in there’s no way to get rid of it, so prevention is best. It’s caused by contaminated soil so be extra careful in allotments, where cross-contamination can easily occur.

Rust

Rust is another fungus, and causes yellow spots to form on the leaves. It’s usually worse in long spells of wet weather and soil with poor drainage. Mild attacks of rust won’t really be a problem, but if it becomes more serious it will affect the yield. Like many fungal infestations, it isn’t really possible to get rid of it once it’s present in the soil. One way to help avoid infection is to leave adequate space when planting, as bulbs forming too close together increase soil humidity.

When to harvest garlic

Excess dirt will easily come away from the bulbs when dried Image: Shutterstock

Harvesting is best done between May and June, but will depend on the variety so make sure to check the packet. Harvest too early and you’ll miss the final growth spurt, but leaving garlic in the ground for too long can cause the bulbs to rot.

The leaves of Hardneck varieties can be cut when green and used as a garnish, in salads, or as part of a delicious homemade pesto. The bulbs are harvested later, once the leaves have begun to yellow.

Carefully lift bulbs out, brushing dirt off with your hands. Lay them out to dry in an airy place until they rustle, which means they are ready to store and use.

Why not have a go at growing your own stock of this cupboard staple? Garlic is easy to grow and once harvested can be used as a versatile ingredient for many well-known dishes.