"Growing Garlic"
Garlic has long been used as a medicinal as well as a culinary herb and modern research proves the valuable properties garlic contains. Many people are put off by the strong scent, but parsley is a great counter-herb for that after taste and smell that garlic can produce. Grow some parsley in a pot or in the herb garden so you have it available. Find out more about growing parsley on this page...Growing Parsley  And growing garlic really isn't that hard. It likes a fairly sunny spot in the garden but will grow in a semi shaded area. Garlic cloves can be planted in random places around the vegetable bed and will deter all kinds of bugs and pests from your crops. Or, if you prefer, grow in lines as you would onions. Buy your cloves from a reputable garden supplier or use a bulb you have bought from the grocers or supermarkets. These may not be as productive as the hybrid varieties bred for planting, but on the other hand they might! It's worth a try. ************************************
Rake until the soil is fairly fine and remove all large stones. The ground should be well drained. Add gravel or sand to the soil if it seems too wet, or to be holding water. Plant individual cloves so that the tip is at the surface of the soil. Watch out for birds at this stage, as they like to pull them right out again! Cover very lightly with soil if you have a problem with birds in your area. Water gently and let them grow.  Growing garlic - Care: Keep weeds away especially in the early stages of growing garlic. The plants don't produce masses of foliage and can be overtaken with weeds very quickly if not checked. Water during periods of very dry weather but always make sure the plants aren't waterlogged. The single garlic cloves will grow and produce whole bulbs, all being well.The plants should be left in the ground until the leaves die back. If a lot of rain is expected though, it's best to lift the bulbs before the wet weather sets in. Leave to die back as long as possible, then gently fork around the bulbs and lift. Lay on the soil in the sun for a few hours to dry and take them in at night. Garlic can be stored for many months. The leaves can be plaited to reduce storing space. Hang plaits or store single bulbs in a dry airy place out of direct light. Use as you need them. Happy Gardening! Grow Your Own Winter Food: A good diet incorporating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables is a must if you want to stay fit and healthy and keep the bugs at bay during the cold winter months. Growing your own winter food is just one way of ensuring you get the freshest, tastiest produce packed with goodness straight from the garden to the kitchen table. This easy-to-follow self-sufficiency book shows you how to grow your own fruit and vegetables for winter use and includes facts on each fruit, vegetable or herb as well as nutritional value, recipe ideas and storage suggestions.  Grow Your Own Winter Food is perfect for those with limited gardening experience, with gardens big or small who are looking to become more self-sufficient. Order it now direct from the publisher... Grow Your Own Winter Food Grow It, Cook It!: Many crops, including herbs, can be produced in a relatively small space with a little pre-planning and organizing: in containers, on a balcony, and indoors. Herbs are perfect for enhancing the flavour of cooking, treating minor ailments, and preventing colds and flu. Your own back garden will not only produce the best food on the planet for you and your loved ones, it is also economical, environmentally friendly and more fun than shopping. Gardening is more than a hobby; it's a way of life. .  This book provides all the information you need to keep your family and friends healthy, fit and enjoying life to the full. Order it now direct from the publisher... Grow It, Cook It! Grow Your Own Pharmacy: If, like me, you want to be able to eat the best food on the planet, grow your own!  • Clear instructions on planning, planting, growing and harvesting the fruits, vegetables and herbs required for a healthy vitamin intake. • Recipes and menus to help incorporate the fruit and vegetables into your daily diet. Grow Your Own Pharmacy Herbs and Spices: Some herbs grow vigorously, some are tender and need special growing conditions, some are annuals, some perennials, some you can grow indoors, all can be grown in pots or directly into the ground. There are also certain spices, such as chillies, that can be grown in temperate climates. ("There's more about growing garlic in this wonderful little book!")  This clear and concise directory of herbs and spices provides all the essential information to help you grow a selection of these flavour-enhancing foods in small or large spaces. Ideas for which herbs and spices go best with which foods also accompany each description, so that you can really enliven your repertoire of recipes. Order it now direct from the publisher... Herbs and Spices Granny's Book Of Good Old Fashioned Common Sense is packed full of great ideas and tips. Granny brings traditional home-making up to date with cooking, gardening, needlecrafts and even games to play with the kids...Click on the link below to order your copy.  Cooking doesn’t have to be a chore and preparing nourishing home cooked meals for the family will certainly keep them away from the goodie shelf. Gardening encourages physical exercise and a good healthy dollop of fresh air. And you can get the kids involved too. Before the days of computer games and electronic pets, children used to have fun without rummaging about in the fridge every five minutes. Enjoy a few rainy-day games and crafts of yesteryear with today’s kids. They’ll love it and so will you! Granny's Book Of Good Old Fashioned Common Sense Back To Garden Herbs Back to Flower and Garden Tips Homepage Click here to subscribe to "Creative Gardening" - Your FREE monthly ezine! http://www.flower-and-garden-tips.com/growinggarlic.html |
If you're growing garlic in the US, try Gurney's