Garlic

Variety:

Spring

Two bulbs

Sowing:

Place each individual clove, root down (flat part down, point up) into the soil with the pointed tip just 2cm below surface level.

Planting directly into the soil and not a seed tray is much more effective for growing garlic. Alternatively they do grow well in pots. 

Space each clove approximately 10-15cm apart.

Garlic can be planted around late September - October for an early harvest or February - March for a later harvest.

Harvesting:

Garlic is ready to harvest either when the stem is green or when it's gone yellow. If the stem has turned brown, its too late and will have lost most of its flavour.

Garlic can be dried and stored if harvested when the stems are green. 

Garlic with also produce scapes which can be harvested and also eaten for a lighter garlic flavor. 

In order to dry, leave the garlic on an aerated rack in the sun (where it cannot get wet) for approx. 2 weeks. 

Information:

Garlic will grow in most soils but preferable in a well draining and fertile soil. 

They need full sun but are frost resistant and in fact the cooler temperature assists in the bulb separating into individual cloves. 

In the winter it can help to provide a covering such as a fleece or even blanket of fallen leaves to protect the cloves. 

Each garlic clove will produce its own full bulb with between 10-20 cloves in it. 

Nutritional Information:

Garlic is a very powerful and underrated vegetable as it has huge health benefits along with making a huge different to the taste and flavor of our food. 

Garlic is a great source of manganese, vitamin B6 and vitamin C.

It supports heart health and also acts as an antibiotic. It is known to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol and has antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties. 

The benefits of garlic are endless all the while being a very low maintenance vegetable to grow. 

Fun Fact:

Apparently in the Middle Ages, garlic was used as a currency and it was known as "Russian penicillin" as it was used in World War I for helping treat the soldiers wounds and infections. 

Many people today take garlic when they get a cold or flu to assist in their recovery.