Ask Chris
by CHRIS WINSLOW
Now is the time to plant garlic. Cloves planted close to the autumnal equinox or 5 to 6 weeks before the first freeze have a good chance to develop a strong root system before winter sets in.
Garlic (Allium sativum) is one of our oldest cultivated crops, dating back an amazing 6,000 years. It originated in central Asia and has become a hugely popular global staple. As a member of the onion genus, it’s closely related to leeks, shallots, onions, and onion and garlic chives.
Garlic is grown not by seed, but by dividing a bulb into cloves. Average size bulbs will supply about a dozen or more cloves. It’s best to plant them 4 inches apart, and 2-3 inches deep in the soil. The average bulb will yield a row about 3 to 4 feet long.
These plants are happiest in soil that’s loose and at least 6 inches deep. Heaping amounts of organic matter such as compost, mixed into the garden soil, will do the trick. They need at least 6 to 7 hours of direct sunlight. This will help to keep the ground warm for the winter months.
To insure a healthy crop free from soilborne disease, soak your bulbs in a solution of baking soda (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) and seaweed extract for a few minutes. After the soak and before planting, rinse or dip the bulbs in alcohol.
To thrive, garlic needs some moisture but not too much. If it gets too wet, it will rot. Too dry and you’ll shrink the size of the bulb, making the flavor much stronger.
Garlic is harvested in the spring when the tops finish flowering and begin to dry. Be careful when you lift the bulbs from the soil. Pull them out without being cut or pierced by a trowel or shovel. Then you can store it in a cool, dry place and you should be able to keep it for quite a while.
If you have never grown your own garlic before, please give it a try. It’s fun and richly rewarding. Happy gardening, everyone.
If you have a question for Chris, send it via email to [email protected]. Or mail a postcard to It’s About Thyme,11726 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748 itsaboutthyme.com
