Autumn planted garlic is bigger and more flavorful than spring planted

Autumn planted garlic is bigger and more flavorful than spring planted
                        
Not surprisingly, garlic grows best in soil rich in organic matter free of weeds much like most every plant you would consider for the garden. Autumn planted garlic is superior to garlic planted in early spring. Bulbs are bigger, more flavorful and you do not have to wait for the ground to be workable because you have been working it for two seasons. Autumn planting allows the bulbs to develop a strong root system that will foster a healthy plant. It is OK if the bulb sprouts before the first hard frost. Cooler temperatures will make the garlic dormant until the ground warms next spring. Do not plant supermarket garlic. It is awful stuff. It lacks flavor and will not even ward off vampires in an emergency. Grown for its ability to store for months or even years rather than for flavor, avoid it at all costs and seek out garlic varieties worth a lick. I recently found a variety called Music grown in Mt. Eaton. It is juicy. It is spicy. It is what garlic was meant to be. I went back to buy more to plant in September. The same farmer grows white and red German varieties that are equally impressive. When someone calls himself or herself a garlic farmer, you can assume they mean it. Planting local garlic pretty much guarantees what you have in the palm of your hand will be what you pull out of the ground next spring or early summer. Garlic is a member of the allium genus. Like its cousins, the onion, the leek, the shallot and the chive, it is a spicy bulb or head with culinary and medicinal uses. Known to have cancer-fighting agents, it has been used medicinally for thousands of years. It has even been used to calm down hysterical girls. How many aromatic bulbs can claim that? Garlic is easy to grow. Plant cloves in their papery skins about two inches deep and about four inches apart in rows about 12 inches apart in a sunny location. Do not plant it more than two inches deep or the bulb size will be compromised. Each clove will become a head. Mulch the planted cloves heavily with straw or another organic covering to protect the bulbs from vicious winter cold. I lost all my garlic last winter for not following my own advice. Lesson learned. Some growers claim rows should be six inches apart while others think eight inches is better. If you have a lot of space, spread the rows out. If you have a small garden, use the space you have as wisely as you can. Garlic can be susceptible to fungus and soaking it for a few hours in a solution of a tablespoon of baking soda and a tablespoon of liquid seaweed in a gallon of water before planting can eliminate this. It is up to you if you want to try it. I have never had any trouble with fungus on garlic. Plant several varieties of garlic if you are able to find them. Mail order seed catalogs are a great resource but make sure the varieties you order are suitable for growing in your area. If in doubt, find a local garlic grower you can trust.


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