Garlic is one of those plants that can surprise you with its yield if we take care of a few things. However, not everyone knows that the right moment and preparation for planting are of great importance. Therefore, it is worth being careful not to miss the date of commencement of cultivation and to remember a few important issues.
Before we start planting our garlic, we need to properly prepare the site for the plant. It would be best if it was a sunny place where the soil is permeable, fertile and has a reaction close to neutral.
In addition, we need to loosen and remove weeds. Additionally, remember that it is not recommended to plant garlic in a position where leek, chives or onion previously grew. You should then keep it a break of several years before we place our specimen there.
An important element of preparation for planting is also the selection of appropriate garlic cloves. They should be healthy, large and undamaged. We separate them from the head just before planting. They are placed vertically in the ground, heel down, to a depth of about 3-5 cm. Spacing should be approximately 10 cm between plants and 25 cm between rows.
Spring garlic should be planted quite early. The recommended term is period from mid-March to early April, when the soil has thawed. Due to the fact that the plant is resistant to low temperatures, we do not have to worry that it will not cope with spring frosts.
By planting it at an early date, our garlic will have time to take root and use the moisture reserves after winter, so it will be able to develop better later. Spring garlic usually ripens in July or August. Although its heads are smaller than those of winter garlic, it is extremely durable and can be stored even for many months.
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After planting, garlic requires regular care so that it takes root well and produces healthy heads. First of all, you need to keep the soil moist and water it moderatelyso that the soil is slightly moist, but not wet, which could lead to rotting of the cloves.
As it grows it is worth removing weeds that compete for nutrients and waterpreferably by hand or gently loosening the soil between the rows. Garlic also responds well to fertilization.
Therefore, in spring you can apply organic fertilizer, e.g. compost or well-decomposed manure, and during intensive leaf growth, additionally apply small doses of nitrogen fertilizer. It is also important observing plants for diseases and pests, e.g. thrips or powdery mildew, and, if necessary, taking protective measures.
