In addition to being considered a real superfood with multiple health benefits, garlic is also an essential ingredient that adds a unique flavor to all our culinary recipes. So imagine being able to enjoy all its benefits without having to buy it every time you shop at the supermarket? Would it be possible to germinate garlic easily at home? Apparently YES… Explanation!
To plant garlic , we all know the classic method, you need to have a vegetable garden! But what if we told you that we have a much simpler technique? No more worries about weather, soil, mulch and weeds! All you need is a clove of garlic, a glass of water and some sunshine. It is up to you !
Is it possible to grow garlic at home?
Growing garlic at home – Source: spm
You can grow garlic perfectly as a houseplant. It is sufficient that:
- Your pot should have a drainage hole in the bottom.
- Your plant should be placed in a bright place where it can benefit from the sun’s rays.
- Place your plant in a dry room. Garlic fears excess water and humidity.
However, growing garlic indoors can have some downsides. And it’s in the way of growing it indoors that is somewhat different. It is clearly impossible to expect your pods to turn into full-fledged bulbs after a few weeks in the ground. Of course, you can harvest garlic leaves instead, which can be minced raw to dress salads, garnish soups, add flavor to stir-fries, and improve the taste of many recipes!
How to grow garlic in water?
Growing garlic in water – Source: spm
If you live in an apartment or don’t have the space to grow garlic in your garden, our ingenious method is a great alternative. Follow the guide to see how:
- Selecting the right garlic cloves: this is an obligatory step, dear readers! Opt for sprouted pods (the ones with a little green button on the top). Otherwise, you will need to take a whole bulb and cut off the pointed end with a knife.
- Prepare your container: equip yourself with a transparent glass bowl (to follow the germination of your plant) that can contain approximately 250 g of water.
- Separate the garlic bulbs into individual cloves: Place each clove (with its peel) along the sides of the container, making sure the pointed or sprouted end is facing up.
- Add water: Fill the container with warm water, just enough to cover the bottom of the garlic clove. It is important not to immerse them, because they could die!
- Wait a minute: Place your container in a very sunny spot for about a week. But don’t forget to replace the water if necessary. If the tops of the pods start to change color and turn brownish, keep the bowl out of direct sunlight for 1 to 2 days.
- Harvest garlic shoots: when young plants reach at least 8cm in height. Cut them with scissors. That said, only take as much as you need, as they quickly lose their flavor. Also keep in mind that after the first harvest, your garlic will definitely not produce any more shoots.
- ENJOY: With these simple steps, you can now enjoy your garlic for your cooking needs!
Here is a video to guide you step by step:
How to grow garlic from a clove with the can trick?
Vegetables are usually grown from seeds, but to grow garlic you simply plant individual cloves! Check out our guide to show you how:
- To get started, cut off the bottom half of a 5-gallon container and poke 4 holes in the bottom.
- Fill your pot with soil and make 3 holes about 10cm deep.
- Carefully remove 3 cloves of garlic from the water, being careful not to damage the roots.
Garlic clove with
- Then, cut the roots slightly, about 3cm from the stem.
- Insert one clove per hole (with the stem facing up) and cover them with a little soil.
- Pour the water from the bowl where the garlic cloves or head were into the new pot.
Grow garlic in a 5 liter container – Source: spm
- All you have to do is wait a few weeks, dear readers, and your potted garlic will be ready to eat!
You can also use this technique to plant garlic directly into your garden soil.
Autumn-winter-spring sowing: when and how to plant garlic outdoors?
If you want to be successful in planting garlic, it is essential to follow a methodical and well-defined program! It should therefore be noted that garlic generally requires a cold period (0 to 10°C) to produce quality bulbs, i.e. 1 to 2 months. This is why gardeners usually plant it in late autumn or early winter. In other words, to obtain satisfactory results, it is necessary to proceed between October and February. However, for your information, dear readers, some varieties are suitable for planting in early spring.
How to grow garlic in the garden or in a vegetable patch?
Growing garlic in the garden – Source: spm
- Prepare the soil: Garlic needs a sunny, well-drained place to grow. Avoid, however, planting it in acidic soil (with a pH lower than 6.5).
- Plant your pods : Break the bulbs into individual pods and, keeping the peel on, bury them 3-4cm deep below the soil surface, root down and tip up! Please space them 15cm apart.
- Water your plants: During dry periods, be sure to water your garlic well to encourage bulb growth. Avoid wetting the leaves, as this can lead to fungal diseases. Stop watering completely during the last few weeks of growth (yellow foliage and well-formed bulbs).
How long does it take to grow garlic?
Growing your own garlic from cloves takes about 6-7 months. If you plant garlic cloves in midwinter, you can enjoy them between June and August.
How to harvest garlic?
Garlic harvest – Source: spm
If you’re wondering when the best time to harvest garlic is, look out for signs that your plant is ready: yellow or brown leaves and drooping heads. Need to know how to harvest? Follow our advice:
- Carefully dig the garlic bulbs out of the ground using a gardening fork.
- Then, dry them thoroughly by exposing them to sunlight or storing them in a dry, well-ventilated place. The drying process takes 2 to 4 weeks. Be careful, if mold appears, use a fan heater to speed up drying.
- Once the garlic leaves have become very dry and crunchy, cut the bulbs and store them in a dry place so they will keep for several months.
Note that :
If you harvest too early, the pods will not be well formed, and if you harvest late, the bulbs may open and not keep for long!
As you may have understood, dear readers, growing garlic at home is very simple , and it is not necessary to have a dedicated planting space to grow it.