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When it comes to planting garlic, there's often confusion about terminology. The term "seed garlic" refers specifically to the cloves rather than true seeds, as garlic generally propagates vegetatively. While some garlic varieties produce scapes that flower, these flowers don't yield typical seeds but rather small bulbs called bulblets. These bulblets can be planted, but they require several years to mature into full-sized garlic plants.
Avoiding Store-Bought Garlic
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Common Garlic Planting Mistakes and Tips for Success
As the calendar inches closer to October 1st, garden enthusiasts, especially in Zone 5, anticipate the perfect time to plant garlic. Yet, many face challenges due to common mistakes made during the planting process. Here's a detailed guide to avoid those pitfalls and ensure healthy, robust garlic for harvest.
Understanding Garlic Seed
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While using garlic from the grocery store may seem convenient, it's not advisable for a couple of reasons. Firstly, many supermarkets treat garlic with germination inhibitors to prevent sprouting, which can hinder your gardening efforts. Secondly, garlic nematodes, a pest detrimental to garlic plants, are becoming increasingly prevalent in commercial garlic. Therefore, it's essential to purchase certified seed garlic that is nematode-free to protect your garden.
Choosing the Right Garlic Variety
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Garlic cultivars fall into two primary categories: hard neck and soft neck garlic. Many gardeners in cooler climates mistakenly believe that only hard neck varieties thrive there. However, both types can be grown successfully in Zone 5. Hard neck garlic is common, but soft neck varieties offer benefits, such as fewer scapes and larger cloves, making them easier to peel. Some soft neck garlic types even store longer, making them a practical option for those seeking longevity in their harvest.
Planting Time Matters
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A prevalent misconception is that garlic should be planted only after the ground has frozen, as some believe frost is necessary for successful growth. In reality, the garlic clove begins root development immediately after planting, ideally in early fall. Studies reveal that whether planted in September, October, or November, the resulting harvest yields similar amounts. Therefore, aim to plant your garlic around October 1st for the best results.
Selecting the Right Cloves
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When preparing to plant, it's vital to choose the right cloves. Instead of randomly picking from the bulb, select the largest cloves for planting. Larger cloves yield larger garlic bulbs, while the smaller cloves can be used in the kitchen. This practice not only enhances your harvest size but also helps improve the quality of your garlic over time.
Keeping the Protective Skin
When peeling apart garlic bulbs, leave the protective paper-like skin on the cloves. While it may come off during planting, removing it intentionally is unnecessary and can expose the cloves to potential damage. That outer layer acts as a natural barrier, promoting healthy growth.
Depth of Planting
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Unlike other bulbs, garlic doesn't require deep planting. While other bulbs may need to be planted several inches beneath the soil, garlic thrives when planted about 2 inches deep, which allows for a perfect balance of soil coverage while fostering growth.
Avoiding Bone Meal
Using bone meal as a fertilizer is a widespread practice among gardeners; however, most North American soils already contain sufficient phosphorus. Adding more bone meal can attract pests and cause harm to the bulb. Instead, incorporating a small amount of organic matter, like compost, should suffice for maintaining healthy garlic growth.
Watering Garlic Correctly
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It's easy to overlook watering during the fall season. However, adequate moisture is crucial for root development. Ensure to check the soil's moisture level and water when necessary. Remember to avoid overwatering and use your finger or a moisture meter to assess the soil's condition effectively.
The Role of Mulching
Many videos on garlic planting advise mulching after planting to protect the cloves. However, this may hinder optimal growth. Leaving garlic bulbs uncovered initially allows them to absorb warmth from the sun, promoting root establishment. Mulching should occur once colder temperatures set in, trapping heat generated from the earth.
Timely Spring Mulching
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In spring, the process should be reversed—remove mulch as soon as the ground thaws to let the sunlight warm the soil and stimulate garlic growth. Once the plants have established, reapply mulch to suppress weeds and maintain optimal growing conditions.
By avoiding these ten common mistakes, gardeners can enjoy a more fruitful garlic harvest in the upcoming year. For those looking for practical demonstrations, there are resources available online to see garlic planting in action, along with further insights into related planting techniques, such as soaking cloves prior to planting.
Happy gardening!