Growing garlic

Photography by Joluise

When I discovered that almost all the garlic we consume (in Australia) is imported from China I was horrified.  In fact more than 80% of the worlds garlic is from China. It is almost impossible to buy Australian grown garlic unless you visit a farmers market.  It grows very well in Australia, its just cheaper to import it.

My biggest concerns about buying garlic from China is their use of pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and fertilizers . . . often ones that have been banned elsewhere in the world and known to be harmful to humans. I also object to having my garlic bleached (with chlorine) which covers up any imperfections and completely unnecessary.  And worse still - all fresh foods that enters Australia is fumigated by Australian Quarantine to kill anything bad (what does it do to us) . . .  all of this was enough for me to decide to grow my own this year.

The other major issue of buying garlic from China (a small amount comes from Mexico and Argentina) is its age - often spongy and beginning to sprout - certainly not fresh when it is at its best. Garlic has many health benefits, but not if it is old and grown in conditions not suitable for human consumption.

According to the nice man at the nursery . . . plant at Easter (Autumn) and pick in summer. Mine went in a little late, but it doesn't seem to matter. 

Instructions for growing garlic*

STEP 1: Gently separate your bulbs into individual cloves. Warning - don't use the garlic from the supermarket as it is too weak to grow - either buy direct from the farmers market or from your local plant nursery.

STEP 2: Dig a small hole for each clove. TIP: Prepare your soil in advance by adding quality compost or manure.

STEP 3: Plant about 8cm deep with the pointy end up, then gently back-fill around the clove and cover the hole with mulch.

STEP 4: In as little as 2 weeks the first shoots will appear.

STEP 5: When the foliage starts to die back, harvest. You can leave a few in the ground for a second season. Store bulbs in a cool, dry place and they'll last up to 8 months. You can even split up a bulb next season and start again.

Timing: For the best bulbs of garlic, plant at the right time. The rule of thumb is to plant close to the autumn equinox, about 20 March, or when the days start shortening and the nights become cooler.

Position: Like most bulbs, a full sun position gives the best results.

Soil: Free-draining fertile soil that's been improved with manure or compost before planting is ideal. In pots, use a quality potting mix.

Fertilising: At planting time, add a slow-release fertiliser and liquid feed across the growing season.

Water: Garlic is quite tolerant of dry conditions but suffers if it remains dry for extended periods. 

Keep it reliably moist, but not wet.

*Instructions thanks to the Better Homes and Gardens website: link

Drying garlic (imagine from Google)