Would you like to grow your own garlic?
I don’t know about you, but I would gladly eat raw garlic on a piece of toast. I like to add this veggie to everything, from baked trays to soups and salads, with fish, potatoes, meat, and everything in between. It has such a nice flavor; it gives your immune system a boost and is amazing in every meal.
If you can’t tell already, I could talk about garlic for hours—I love it that much! If you want to elevate your meals, why not try growing your own garlic? It’s easy and rewarding, and nothing beats the flavor of homegrown garlic in your favorite dishes. If I haven’t convinced you yet, keep reading because we’re going to talk about all the reasons why you should grow your own garlic this year:
1. You don’t need much space
This veggie doesn’t take up a lot of space in your kitchen or pantry, and the best part is that it doesn’t ask for much either. Even if you don’t have a large space, you can easily grow your own garlic. However, it still needs nutrients and enough organic matter. Because the crop takes a long time to mature and is planted in the ground, it needs a lot of compost, phosphate, potassium, and nitrogen to grow healthy and delicious.
You can experiment with different hilling methods, spacing, and mulching, but don’t forget to keep track of the results. Thanks to the several planting methods I’ve experimented with throughout the years, I’ve noticed that the crop grows best in loamy and well-drained soil, but if that’s not possible, you can easily grow your own garlic in raised beds. This is a fantastic option for people who don’t have a lot of space to work with or don’t benefit from high-quality soil.
Just do your best and watch the lovely green tops pop up in the spring. They’re delicious, especially with salads or steak.
2. It’s low-maintenance
…If you want to grow your own garlic but don’t want to spend too much time tending to your garden, say no more!
Once your summer crops have finished their run or cover crops are done, it’s time to prep for your next harvest. Start by spreading a generous amount of compost over your garden bed. Don’t forget to keep straw bales handy for mulching later.
As for the planting part, you can create a grid using a tape measure, garden grinder, or even the plastic tines of a rake. On the other hand, you can just make a small trench about an inch deep and two inches wide using the handle of a wooden tool. Simple and effective!
3. It’s versatile
…Would you like to eat more flavorful meals, improve your immunity, and keep bacteria and viruses at bay? Then it would be best if you grew your own garlic.
The classic crop comes in two main varieties: hardneck and softneck. Hardneck garlic offers rich, bold flavors with a touch of spice, making it a favorite for home growers who love experimenting with tastes and aromas. On the other hand, softneck varieties are more common in grocery stores because they store exceptionally well, but they’re not that aromatic.
If you live in zones 0 through 8, several hardneck varieties perform well in colder regions but require a lengthy vernalization period. On the other hand, in zones 8 through 12, softneck types thrive in the southern regions.
Here’s a tip from the experts: if you’re a southern grower who wants to try hardneck garlic, you can easily simulate their natural chill period. All you have to do is pop the cloves in a spot below 40°F (4°C) for approximately four to eight weeks before planting. This simple step helps them thrive, even in warmer climates, so try it, because the results will be amazing!
Softneck garlic bulbs pack in more tiny cloves—anywhere from 10 to 40 per bulb—while hardneck bulbs are usually larger, with just four or five big cloves. Softneck varieties are the easiest to braid due to their flexible stalks, making them ideal for drying or decoration.
“Music” is a delicious porcelain hardneck garlic variety that produces big bulbs, incredible spicy flavor, and pink to purple large cloves. You can grate it coarsely and incorporate it into cooked dishes, or microplane it raw into vinaigrettes and salad dressings.
“Music” is renowned and adored for its lovely white color, winter hardiness, and variety of flavors. Grate it coarsely and incorporate it into cooked dishes, or microplane it raw into vinaigrettes and salad dressings. It’s flavorful but not excessively hot. For me, it has a perfect aroma, and it tastes delicious. I don’t know about you, but if you want to grow your own garlic, check out this variety, especially if you plan on eating it with fish.
However, if you prefer something sweeter that’s also ideal for roasting, choose the chesnok red variety. It preserves well into the spring and works well in all zones.
4. It can be easily stored
Did you know that the majority of garlic varieties can last up to six months when grown and stored correctly? This is very good news for me because I love to add it to my meals, regardless of the season. Speaking of that, if you want to try a delicious recipe, I recommend garlic cream soup. It’s delicious, warm, and cozy, and it pairs fantastically well with a grilled cheese sandwich.
If you want to grow your own garlic and have it for the entire year, put it in a cool space so you can enjoy it in your delicious meals.
Even though garlic can be easily stored, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- harvest the plant once four to six of its lower leaves have turned brown and died;
- scaping—or not—scapes (applies exclusively to hardneck) – according to experts, unbroken scapes prevent plants from developing adequate bulbs, which might shorten their lifespan;
- correctly curing it – to cure, either hang it up to dry or spread it out on a mesh bench away from the sun with plenty of airflow. As professional gardeners say, curing times can range from three to four weeks, or longer if the humidity is high, depending on the type and your region.
Here’s another important tip to remember if you’re looking to grow your own garlic and enhance the flavor of your meals even further. If you fail to harvest the scapes on time, the plant’s energy remains in the above-ground seedhead, which can lead to improper growth of the underground bulb. You know it’s time to harvest when the plants become gooseneck-shaped and point straight up toward the sky.
While softneck cultivars like inchelium red can keep for up to a year in the right conditions, most hardneck varieties only endure for three to six months. The best way to store cured bulbs is between 40 and 55°F in a dark room with a relative humidity of 45 to 50%.
To add more flavors to your meals, you can quickly crush your delicious garlic with this tool. It’s easy to use and clean and will make your task go by much faster. Would you like to grow your own garlic? Let us know in the comments below! If you enjoyed reading this article and would like to check out something else from Gardeners and Plants, here’s a good post for you: 7 Natural Ways to Keep Snakes Away From Your Yard
