Third Annual Garlic Festival Sept. 21 In Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — Join University of Missouri Extension for the “Third Annual Garlic Festival” from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, at the Springfield Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S. Scenic, Springfield, Mo.
The workshop will include presentations by Patrick Byers, a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist, Kelly McGowan, a horticulture educator with MU Extension, and Dr. Pam Duitsman, a nutrition specialist with MU Extension.
Garlic production — including how to choose the best garlic strain, planting and caring for garlic, and the harvest and storage of garlic — will be addressed in presentations. There will also be a presentation on the health benefits of garlic.
Data will be also presented on the performance of 32 garlic strains in southwest Missouri and the evening will conclude with a garlic tasting. There will also be several different strains of garlic for sale in time for fall planting.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Cost is $10 per person for the program. Advanced registration is needed and can be done online, in person at the Greene County Extension or sending a check by mail to Greene County Extension at 2400 S. Scenic Avenue, Springfield, MO 65807.
GARLIC NUTRITION
The nutritional value of garlic along with its wide array of medicinal benefits made garlic one of the most valued plants in ancient times and (perhaps) the first to be cultivated.
Garlic’s medicinal properties are thought to be due to sulfur-containing compounds called thiosulfinates. One of them, allicin, is produced when a sulfur-containing amino acid called alliin comes in contact with the enzyme alliinase when raw garlic is minced, crushed, or chewed. Since the enzyme alliinase is broken down by heat, cooked garlic is less effective medicinally than is fresh garlic.
“Today, garlic is used as an herbal supplement to help prevent heart disease, lower high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and to boost the immune system,” said Dr. Pam Duitsman, nutrition specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
GROWING GARLIC
Garlic grows best in a sunny location in soil that is well-drained yet moisture-retentive and relatively high in organic matter. Well-rotted manure or compost is an ideal soil amendment to improve the latter in garden soils. Garlic prefers a soil pH of between 6 and 7. Liming is recommended if the pH falls below 5.8. Base rates on soil test results.
Garlic is considered to be relatively pest-free. Insects that can become a problem include thrips (especially during dry weather), onion maggots and wireworms. Diseases that can infect garlic include botrytis, powdery mildew pink root and purple blotch.
“In the Midwest, garlic usually is ready to harvest from between the second week of July through the first week of August. Harvest date will vary according to variety,” said Patrick Byers, horticulture specialist with University of Missouri Extension.