Garlic

Garlic, Allium sativum, is a an herbaceous, annual, bulbous plant in the family Amaryllidaceae grown for its pungent, edible bulb of the same name. The garlic plant can either have a short, woody central stem (hardneck) or a softer pseudostem made up of overlapping leaf sheaths (softneck). Hardneck varieties produce a false flower stock which is termed a 'scape' and produce larger garlic cloves but in smaller numbers. Softneck garlic is the most popular variety of garlic grown in the US. The bulb can be up to 7 cm (2.8 in) in diameter and is made up of 1–15 cloves. The stem is very short and flattened and gives way to a pseudostem, The garlic plant can possess 6–12 flat, blade-like leaves which can stretch up to 50 cm (19.7 in) long. The plant can reach 60 cm (23.6 in) in height and is an annual, surviving only one growing season. Garlic is believed to originate from Asia.

Garlic is primarily used for flavoring food and can be dried, ground or powdered for this purpose.

Basic requirements Garlic is a hardy perennial which can be grown in a variety of soil types. The plants perform best when planted in a light, well draining, organic loam with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. The plant grows well in cool weather but will tolerate a range from 9–28°C (48.2–82.4°F). Garlic should be planted in an area that receives full sun for most of the day. Garlic requires a period of cold followed by a period of light and heat in order to develop properly. The plants will perform best when they have 6-8 weeks below 4.4ºC (40ºF). It may be beneficial to chill bulbs prior to use if planting in area that does not fulfil these temperature requirements. Planting Most garlic varieties do not produce fertile seed so the plant is propagated from the cloves. Individual cloves are obtained by breaking apart the bulb. Generally, garlic should be planted in the Fall around the same time spring bulbs such as daffodils are planted. Planting in the Spring does not allow sufficient time for the roots system to develop and the garlic may not form heads. The soil should be prepared for planting by digging with a fork to loosen it and break up any large clumps. Cloves should be planted 5–8 cm (2-3 in) deep, leaving 8–10 cm (3.1–3.9 in) between individual plants and 15–20 cm (5.9–7.9 in) between rows. The cloves should be planted pointed side up with the basal plate positioned downwards. The roots will grow from the basal plate. Each clove will produce a whole head of garlic which can be harvested and cured before use. General care and maintenance When the ground begins to freeze, it is good practice to cover the garlic plants with a layer of straw mulch. This helps to protect the plants over winter, prevents frost heaving and helps to suppress weeds in the Spring. Garlic requires additional irrigation during dry periods but watering should be ceased a few weeks prior to harvest to allow the papery skin around the bulb to dry and to prevent the development of disease. Garlic benefits from the addition of fertilizer during the growing season. Nitrogen should be applied in early Spring, later applications may delay bulb development. Hardneck garlic should be pruned when the flowering stalks (scapes) begin to straighten. Removal of the flower head directs the plants energy to bulb production. Softneck garlic does not require pruning. Harvesting Garlic is ready to harvest when the plants begin to turn yellow or brown and begin to fall over. Dig the plants while there are still some green leaves remaining on the plant. Harvest the bulbs by digging the plant carefully and lifting the bulbs using a fork. The garlic can be used straight away or it can be cured for longer storage. Garlic can be cured by hanging the plants in bunches or by spreading them out on a rack or screen. The plants should be kept intact while they cure, do not remove the tops until the garlic is dry. Curing should be carried out in a cool, dry place with good ventilation such as a barn, attic or garage. Once dry, the bulbs will keep for up to a year.