Garlic is frequently used in recipes, almost any stew is used for its delicious flavor. It is one of the most researched food plants in the world, its properties are endless. Several studies show that it inhibits the accumulation of cholesterol, reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes, could have a protective effect against cancer, fight against infections, among other properties. Then learn more about their cultivation at home and care.

source

Culture

Garlic needs a soil that has good drainage and full sun, it should be cultivated between the end of August and the end of September. The garlic seed is the same clove of garlic, we must select a garlic of good size, that does not exceed 10 teeth per head. If our seed or tooth has a large size, it will produce a good size garlic at harvest.

Before sowing we must prepare our soil so that it is loose and applying a layer of compost. The distance between sowing is 10-15 cm between each one and we can carry out the sowing in furrows or near sowing. If it is done in furrows, it is possible to associate our garlic with beet, lettuce and tomato. The close sowing is done using the 3-bolillo technique.

source

When sowing, we should observe our garlic clove very well so as not to do it the other way around. The tip or thin part is the upper part, while in the lower part we can see a small flat surface. The peel of the clove of garlic should not be removed. The depth of sowing of our garlic is twice the size of the tooth (approximately 5 cm), apply a little compost at the time of sowing and watering. You can place mulch to prevent moisture from leaving and weeds to grow.

Garlic shoots will start to leave approximately 4-8 weeks, depending on climate and variety.

Care and advice

The risks in the garlic should be sufficient but not in excess, the soil should keep its moisture but if we exceed in water we can cause diseases. Keep your plants free of weeds. Fertilize with a little compost each month and break the top layer of the soil, avoiding touching the plants or going very deep.

source

Care and advice

The risks in the garlic should be sufficient but not in excess, the soil should keep its moisture but if we exceed in water we can cause diseases. Keep your plants free of weeds. Fertilize with a little compost each month and break the top layer of the soil, avoiding touching the plants or going very deep.

Some garlics produce a floral stem that can be used for cooking. Garlic need cold winters to produce a better bulb.

Pests and diseases, tips for their management

Water is a very important factor in the cultivation of garlic, excess water or humidity favors the development of the fungus Phytophthora infestans, causing damage to the leaves, stems and bulb.
Tinea garlic is a small larva that opens galleries in the bulbs and leaves. For its control, observe the appearance of eggs on the back of the leaves and eliminate them.

Harvest and Storage

The harvest is made 4-5 months after sowing, when ¾ parts of the plant have a yellow color. Stop watering the garlic two weeks before harvest, this helps drying and cleaning. To harvest the garlic take the leaves and remove the plant completely. Sometimes the bulbs are very rooted and at the time of harvesting the leaves are separated from the bulb, loosen a little the earth around to avoid it.
After harvesting it must be cured for 4-5 days, this means you must leave your garlic in a dry place to lose moisture. Separate 2 or 3 garlics of good quality and size as seed for the next season.

source

At the end of the curing process, you can cut the leaves of the garlic, leaving about 3-5cm of the stem and keep the heads in a net. Another way of storage is to braid the garlic, in the following video you can see the braiding process.