How to Plant Garlic From a Clove
How to grow garlic from a clove is what we are here to do but first, let’s talk a little bit about this health powerhouse. First, let’s get our vernacular correct. The entire thing is called a bulb, and a clove is the parts you break off the bulb. Containing about 5 calories a clove, this one little clove contains manganese, vitamin b6, vitamin C, fiber, selenium, calcium, copper, potassium, phosphorus, iron, and vitamin B1. With all these vitamins and minerals, it boosts immunity, works as an anti-inflammatory, improves cardiovascular health, and aids in improving hair and skin to name a couple benefits.
This impressive healthy food also brings in so much flavor to foods and cuisine, it is hard not to have some growing for the at home gardener. They are really east to grow, and they do not take long to become a bulb ready to eat. Garlic could be planted either in the spring, or as soon as the ground can be worked. Although since garlic grows underground, and can handle colder weather, the “ideal” season to grow is fall. Garlic bulbs may grow bigger and have more flavor when they are planted in the fall.
If you do start growing this plant in the spring, try to plant the cloves about 6 to 8 weeks before your first hard frost. In the southern states, February or March could be a better time to plant then waiting until march or April. For most states, the plant grows best when planted somewhere between October-February. Now, lets start how to grow garlic from a clove.
How to Plant Garlic Cloves
The absolute best way to start to grow garlic is to already have a clove, and start from there. Ideally, if you have a clove that already has a sprout on it on the top, that would be best. You can do this by buying a garlic bulb and placing it in a dark place in your cupboard for a couple weeks. After a couple weeks, you will notice your bulb cloves look like they are splitting, and the tops might have a little green bud on each clove. When this happens, it is ready to be sown into the soil.
Start by breaking apart the cloves from the bulb, but try to keep the papery husk on and propagate each individual clove. This will help the clove survive and is important for it’s growth. If possible, try to plant the bulb in soil that is well-drained, with plenty of organic matter. You can either grow in a garden or container gardens. Plant the cloves where they will receive full sun, and they have room to grow. Plant each clove with the bud towards the sky. the bottom of the clove should be the first part in the soil. This is extremely important, and the garlic will not grow unless this part is done right.
When planting garlic, try to make them 3-4 inches apart from each other, about two inches deep, and again make sure they are in their upright position. If you hold up a clove and look at it, the wide part is the bottom, and the apex is the top. Once you place them in the soil, cover them up with with more soil so they are under the dirt. In the next 4-weeks, shoots will begin to emerge.
How to Take Care of Garlic From a Clove
Once you have planted the clove and time has passed, you will see new growth emerge out of the soil. It will resemble most other young plants with a bud appearing out of the dirt that will continue to grow, it will be one big stock. In the Northern American States, if it is winter, now would be a good time to mulch, using straw over the mulch could help keep your plant warm during the colder months. The young shoots will not survive the temperatures below 25 degrees on their own. keeping them covered is a good winter practice. If you use this techniques, make sure you remove the mulch in the spring after the threat of frost is over.
Once springtime has arrived, and you have removed all the straw, the plant might begin to flower on the top of the bulb. Cut off any flowering shoots that come up in the early springtime, as they will decrease the size of the bulb harvest. It is also good practice to fertilize your plant with compost when you remove the straw mulch, especially if you see yellowing leaves. A high nitrogen fertilizer will help your garlic thrive. When is gets closer to harvest time, reduce the watering schedule for garlic plants. This will influence the plant to create a bigger, tastier bulb.
When and How to Harvest
It is time to harvest when your garlic tops off thee plant are yellow, and begin to fall over. literally, the plant stalk will bend and fall over. Harvest the garlic bulbs before the tops of the plant are completely dry. This will happen because remember, you are not watering as much. Gently lift the garlic with a spade, gardening fork, or you can pull them right out of the ground. When you remove the bulbs from the soil. Carefully brush off the dirt, and let them cure in an shady, airy spot.
This is important, and you do not want to skip this step. It is important to cure the garlic bulbs in good air circulation. Hanging the garlic upside down with the shoots attached on a string. I have twisted the stalks together like a horse braid. Not only does this look very decorative, but it also saves space. This drying process will take about two weeks. i will talk a little bit more about this phase and how to store it later. The flavor of your garlic will increase as the bulbs are curing and drying. How to grow garlic from a clove is easy, and now you can grow, harvest and cure it too.
How to Store Garlic
The garlic should be ready to store when the outside wrappers and roots are very dry. The roots should be hard and the cloves should break apart quite easily. Dust off all the dirt, and cut off the roots and leaves of the plant. Keep the outside wrapper on, this is very important. Easy steps on how to grow garlic from a clove like a pro. Bulbs can be stored in a cool (40 degrees F), dark, dry place, for several months. Enjoy, and follow the steps and you will be successful in growing your garlic from a clove.