TIME TO SPICE UP THE GARDEN BY ADDING GARLIC
The flavourful bulb is an easy crop to grow and should be planted in a few weeks
In terms of adding flavour to a wide range of cuisines, garlic pretty much rules. It would be hard to find a commercial or home kitchen without garlic cloves kept at the ready to spice up everything from a Caesar salad to gourmet seafood dishes, and so much more.
I raise this topic now because in a few weeks it will be the very best time of the year to plant garlic. It is one of the easiest crops to grow in our home gardens — and yes, even in containers.
To gain a little more insight into the secrets of growing this amazing bulb, I spoke with Jim Capellini of Rasa Creek Farm, near Lumby. Capellini’s mission is to help revive the Canadian garlic-growing industry. He is incredibly supportive of new growers, guiding them to success and working with them to increase the amount of fresh garlic produced in Canada.
“Depending upon where you live,” says Capellini, “late October through early November is a great time to plant garlic.”
The trick is to get the cloves developing a good root system without encouraging too much top growth. If we get a harsh winter, any tender new growth will be frozen back and will have to start over again when the weather turns milder. This is not a big concern in coastal areas, but into the eastern Fraser Valley, or the Interior, it can be a problem. In these colder regions and at higher elevations, Capellini suggests an even earlier start would be the best way to get young cloves established.
When asked what varieties are best for home growers, Capellini strongly suggests planting a diverse selection to see how each performs in your particular situation. He recommends the hardneck types from three different family groups: The purple stripe variety; the marbled purple stripe (Red Russian is the most well-known); and the porcelain varieties (one called Music is widely appreciated).
So, what is the difference between hardneck and softneck garlic?
In June, the stalks, or scapes, of hardneck varieties suddenly begin to curl. Almost as soon as they curl up, they quickly uncurl and form hard, straight stalks topped with so-called seed pods, or umbels. These umbels contain bulbils that can be planted to grow more garlic. Never having been in the ground, bulbils provide an economical supply of planting stock that is free of soilborne diseases.
It is recommended to cut off the scapes so energy is directed to sizing up the growing bulb. Scapes are edible, and especially tasty in pesto and stir-fries. Harvested before they curl, they are tender, flavourful and highly valued in the gourmet world. However, if you cut off the scapes, you won’t get any bulbils for replanting.
Softneck varieties produce no scapes or umbels, so are essentially sterile. According to Capellini, they are a result of human intervention. Their cloves grow larger, and dead-heading of umbels is not necessary.
How long does it take to form viable cloves? Capellini said some of the marbled purple stripe family can produce 40-60 bulbils, which can mature as early as two to three years. The porcelain types may take three to five years to reach maturity.
As for soil requirements, Capellini says: “The most important feature is well-draining soil. Garlic does not like wet feet.”
Building up the soil by adding good compost and well-composted manures is also very helpful. Capellini uses poultry manure on his fields. He said there should be good levels of nitrogen and other nutrients, especially micronutrients, in the soil. Top dressing with a balanced fertilizer in spring, when the green tops are growing, will give your crop a real boost. Ideally, the pH level of the soil should be in the 6 to 6.9 range (slightly acidic).
Planting the cloves five centimetres deep in raised beds or high berms is the way to go. I was surprised, however, when Capellini suggested planting the cloves 18 to 25 cm apart. This spacing makes weeding a lot easier, and gives the cloves plenty of room to grow.
One of the problems we often face on the West Coast is wet springs, and as a result, some rust may appear. In that case, Capellini recommends planting the cloves further apart, about 25 to 30 cm, to allow more air circulation and to prevent the stems from touching.
How do you know when to harvest? When the bottom leaves begin to turn brown in earnest, says Capellini. There should still be four to five green stems on the plants, but you can tell when they’re ready to come out. If you wait too long and let all the leaves turn brown, you may find the skins around the bulbs have deteriorated. The soil must be dry when you harvest so that the bulbs can be removed more easily, and dry better. Letting the soil dry out two weeks before digging is ideal.
Once harvested, the garlic bulbs should be hung loosely, out of the sunlight, in an area with plenty of air flow, preferably with a fan moving the air. The level of humidity should be kept as low as possible. Two to three weeks in these conditions will make a great difference in the quality of your garlic bulbs.
Garlic is very easy and economical to grow. It is essential to many of the dishes we enjoy. Bulbs are available in most garden stores across the province, and many small growers will have a good supply at this time of year.
If you need a larger quantity, or a wider selection of varieties, check rasacreekfarm.com or email: info@rasacreekfarm.com.
Depending upon where you live, late October through early November is a great time to plant garlic.