Live & Grow Issue 50

Growing Garlic
Growing garlic is easy, and with some
know-how, this can become one of
the many successful crops you can
grow this season. There are different
types of garlic, but the most common
in New Zealand is Printanor Garlic.
Elephant Garlic is an excellent option if
you do not like your garlic too strong,
as it has a milder flavour.
Traditionally garlic is planted on the
shortest day and harvested on the
longest; (plant late May to August and
harvest mid-January to late February).
By planting earlier and harvesting a
little later, your corms will become
larger. The best time to buy garlic is
April/May to ensure you do not miss
out.
Separate and plant each clove of
garlic 2-4cm below the soil surface
and about 10cm apart, ensuring the
pointed end is facing upwards. Use
the bigger cloves to assist with larger
bulbs. The smaller cloves will need
more care to grow, e.g. water and
nutrients. Keeping the growing area
weed free and well-watered during
the summer is essential.
To get the most out of your crop,
you need to incorporate the correct
nutrients at planting time.
Incorporate plenty of compost into
the soil, as well as bone flour and/or
blood & bone to boost calcium and
phosphorus, which is specifically good
for any bulb or root crop. Dig compost
and bone flour/blood & bone into the
root zone when planting, adding 1–2
teaspoons of the bone flour per clove.
Use only New Zealand-grown garlic
from your garden centre for the best
results.
If space is tight, garlic can also be
grown in containers or planter bags,
but it must have good drainage
wherever you grow them.
Once the tips of the leaves begin to
yellow, and the base of the stem goes
soft, it's time to harvest. Make sure
you dig up the garlic; do not rip it from
the ground. If you lift garlic too early,
you will have smaller cloves, whereas
if they are left too long, they will burst.
Once you have dug up your garlic,
gently brush off any soil clinging to
the bulbs, being careful not to gouge
them. Allow three to four weeks of
drying in a well-ventilated and dry
area out of direct sunlight. When the
tops and roots have dried, cut them
off, again being careful not to damage
the bulbs.
Seed Potato & Produce Suppliers
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