Selecting the Right Soil
Garlic is best planted in late fall or early winter, though some varieties can be planted in early spring. It thrives in organic, moist, and deep soil with good drainage and plenty of sunlight. Garlic cloves should be planted 15 cm apart and buried 2.5 cm deep beneath the soil surface.
Propagation and Planting
Garlic plants should be fertilized when they start growing in spring and watered as needed while keeping weeds under control. Flower stalks should be cut to preserve the energy in the bulb. If the cloves do not form individual segments, they can either be eaten or replanted for the following growing season.
Harvesting Garlic
Determining the right time to harvest garlic can be challenging. Harvesting too early results in small, immature cloves that are edible but not fully developed. Waiting too long may cause the bulbs to dry out and the cloves to separate, making them more prone to rot and unsuitable for long-term storage. Garlic is typically harvested in late July.
Pests and Diseases
Garlic is susceptible to several diseases:
- White Rot of Onion:
- This is a fungal disease transmitted through the soil. Symptoms include yellowing and wilting of above-ground leaves, while the roots decay, spreading to the bulb beneath the soil. A white, fuzzy fungal growth may appear on the bulb, which later becomes covered with small, round black spots.
- Prevention: Avoid exposing the plants to contaminants to reduce the risk of infection.
- Leek Rust:
- This fungal disease causes bright yellow spots on the leaves, which can reduce leaf size and productivity.
- Prevention: Ensure proper spacing between plants and avoid planting garlic in the same location for three consecutive years. Overcrowding increases humidity, which raises the likelihood of infection.
