Garlic
Easy to grow and very rewarding, garlic prefers to be planted in autumn for best results in the UK. Each clove planted grows into a full bulb, ready for harvest in summer.
Garlic (3 bulbs to split)
£4.49 in the shop
Calendar
Sow
October – November (for best results); March – April (for spring planting)
Plant out
Plant individual cloves point-up, 5cm (2 inches) deep
Harvest
June – August
Conditions
Sun
Full sun, 6–8 hours a day
Water
Keep consistently moist during dry spells, especially in spring. Reduce watering as harvest approaches.
Soil
Rich, well-draining, pH 6.0–7.5
Spacing
10–15cm (4–6 inches) between cloves, 30cm (12 inches) between rows
Containers
Possible in deep, wide containers (at least 20cm/8 inches deep), but ensure good drainage
Indoors
Not typically grown indoors, requires cold period for bulb formation
Care and harvest
Feeding
Not a heavy feeder; a balanced organic fertiliser can be incorporated before planting
Pruning
Remove any flower stalks (scapes) as they emerge to encourage larger bulbs, unless you want to harvest scapes for cooking.
Harvesting
Harvest when lower leaves start to yellow and dry, but there are still 4-5 green leaves left. Cure in a dry, airy place.
Storage
Store in nets or plaited strings in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place for 6-12 months
Good companions: Roses, Tomatoes, Fruit trees