Garlic Growing – What You Need to Know

Dad's Asian Tempest Garlic

Every time I visit my dad in Quebec, he boasts about the garlic he grows.  It’s something he’s proud of and the last time I was there, he gave me a whole bag to bring back.  The variety he uses is the Asian Tempest – powerful with a long shelf life once harvested.  I’ve been researching garlic growing and it’s beyond easy.

Some tips and facts of growing garlic:

• Garlic is grown from the single cloves.  Each clove produces one plant with a garlic bulb.
• When planting garlic, pick a sunny spot where the soil isn’t too damp.
• In regions with cold winters, plant garlic in the fall for harvest the following summer.  For warm regions, store garlic in a cool place for about 3 weeks before planting to trigger proper sprouting.
• The closer apart garlic is planted, the smaller the bulbs will be at harvest.
• It’s time to harvest when the plant’s leaves begin to turn brown.
• Garlic can be planted with other flowers and vegetables.
• Garlic must be dried properly or it will rot.  After harvest, bulbs should be hung up in a cool, dry place for 1-2 weeks.

Happy growing!

Veronique