Growing garlic

[ladytoysdream]

I like garlic and I have a MIL that loves garlic. She rants about the stuff she can buy in the stores. I think it's a hint for her son to grow her some in our garden. Not a problem

So last summer, I put in a very small row. My first time growing it.
I only had 19 cloves. So when harvest time came, that is what I counted and pulled up. 19 of them. Yesterday I am out in the garden area, and what do I see but.....garlic up about 4 inches high. 8 plants. Which leaves me baffled. I know I pulled all of it last fall. So did I leave behind some of the root system and very small cloves or what happened. I think I nipped any of the seed heads that I saw, so I don't think it came from seed. But what do I know ?

I told hubby if the garlic likes that spot, not to rototill that row up. He did not know they were there, until I told him yesterday.
I do have some bulbs that I bought this spring ready to go in the ground. I know I am supposed to plant in the fall, but I have a rotilling happy hubby ...spring and fall.

Maybe I can get him to make me a raised bed somewhere......

So any tips ?

[Russ]

That's what I would do, make a specific bed for it.
I would use cedar if this will be your only raised bed and it's not too big. Because cedar is NOT cheap. Make sure all grass and weeds are cleaned out from below the raised bed even along the outside edges.

Do it right the first time and I would bet the bed of garlic would last for years!

[Contrary Housewife]

It can leave bulblets behind, deep in the soil. Mine did that last year, too. You can transplant it while it is still small.

[hestlauss]

I often replant the inner cloves that are too small to bother peeling and using them
means that it costs nothing to expand continued harvest. It's also a way to guarantee you have enough to use as green garlic.

[frugalfranny]

Good info........and fun to read as I have never grown it.

Keep us posted on 'what' and 'how' you do LTD.

I just heard yesterday that garlic is supposed to be refrig. when stored..........had read somewhere else NOT to refrig. it and it will last longer...........what??? And NEVER store it in olive oil........very confusing! I know garlic and onions are 'notorious' for carrying botulism if not stored properly.

[Contrary Housewife]

Garlic lasts longest in a cool dry place away from light. Many refrigerators are humid, thus garlic eventually softens or sprouts. Garlic left at room temp, like on a counter, can also start to sprout if there are lights on or your kitchen is sunny.

I find that the average head of garlic bought from the grocery does just fine in the fridge for 1-2 weeks before I have used it all up.

Home grown garlic should be stored some place cool and dark over the winter, like a garage or basement where there are no pests.

The problem with garlic (or anything really) in olive oil is that the oil is not acidic enough to prevent botulism and other bacteria from growing in it, in fact they LOVE oil. When you add herbs or vegetables like garlic, you risk adding contaminants, too. And you can't see or smell botulism if it has infected something.

[mauimagic]

Mahalo for the info - you've got me intrigued. How long does it take for the garlic to grow?

[ladytoysdream]

Mahalo for the info - you've got me intrigued. How long does it take for the garlic to grow?

Hi, I put your question into a google search, and came up with this.
* Approximately 4-6 months. The climate and variety can affect the length of time from planting to harvest. *

All I know is I put them in the ground last summer, and I did harvest a little early in the fall, as we got a LOT of rain. It was not doing any of our underground crops any good at all. We had potatoes, onions, and garlic in. For the weather conditions, I thought we did good

I showed hubby where the garlic is growing, so hopefully when he rototills, he will miss them. It probably would be best if I move them to a bed of their own though.