for centuries to treat various diseases and ailments. As a powerful natural antibiotic, garlic eliminates a broad range of bacteria, stimulates the immune system, and helps maintain a healthy intestinal flora. Given its medicinal properties and culinary significance, learning how to cultivate garlic properly is essential for those who wish to grow this valuable vegetable at home.
Types of Garlic and Planting Seasons
Garlic can be cultivated in two primary planting seasons: spring and autumn. The garlic planted in spring is known as spring garlic, whereas the one sown in autumn is referred to as winter or autumn garlic. There are some differences between the two. Spring garlic produces smaller bulbs with a higher number of small cloves, while autumn garlic forms larger bulbs with fewer but bigger cloves.
Despite these differences, both types share certain common requirements. Garlic should not be grown in acidic soil, as it has specific nutritional needs and requires particular agricultural techniques. The planting process can be done manually or mechanically, with larger cloves being preferred for planting. It is crucial to position the cloves correctly—placing them with the heel downward and the tip facing the surface. While a slight inclination is acceptable, planting the cloves upside down, which sometimes occurs with mechanical planting, is undesirable.
Ideal Growing Conditions and Soil Preparation
Garlic requires careful soil preparation for optimal growth. The plant begins germination at temperatures between 3-5°C. The ideal temperature for root development is around 10°C, whereas the aerial parts of the plant thrive best at 17°C. For large-scale planting, approximately 1,000 kg of autumn garlic bulbs or 700-800 kg of spring garlic bulbs are needed per hectare.
Garlic should be planted in well-prepared soil, with a planting depth of 4-5 cm in autumn and 2-3 cm in spring. The cloves are typically planted in strips or rows, depending on the farmer’s preferences and available resources. The distance between the rows should be about 30 cm, and the cloves should be spaced 10-12 cm apart within each row.
The timing of planting plays a crucial role in successful garlic production. Autumn garlic is usually sown in October, while spring garlic is planted in March or April. Experts recommend earlier sowing when possible, as it contributes to better yield and growth. Planting should ideally take place at the end of February or early March if the soil and weather conditions permit.
Crop Rotation and Soil Fertility
Garlic does not thrive in monoculture and should not be planted in succession with plants from the same family. To ensure high yields and soil health, crop rotation is necessary. Garlic grows best after legumes, cabbage, and wheat. Proper soil preparation before planting is essential to ensure successful production.
Garlic demands fertile soil rich in readily available nutrients. If grown in poor or unstructured soil, yields will be significantly lower. Traditionally, organic fertilizers were avoided when growing garlic, as they resulted in large but overly juicy bulbs with high water content, making them unsuitable for long-term storage. However, recent studies have demonstrated that aged manure positively affects garlic yield and quality. Therefore, it is recommended to apply well-composted manure in the fall at a rate of 20-25 t/ha.
see next page
Download Premium WordPress Themes FreeDownload Nulled WordPress ThemesDownload Premium WordPress Themes FreeDownload WordPress Themesdownload udemy paid course for freedownload lenevo firmwareDownload WordPress Themes Free
ADVERTISEMENT
