Garlic, a common condiment and medicinal herb, is favored for its unique taste and rich nutritional value. And planting some garlic on the balcony or garden of your home can not only facilitate daily use, but also add a touch of greenery to your home environment. This article will give you a detailed introduction to the cultivation method of soil-grown garlic to help you easily create a green kitchen full of garlic.
1. Choose the right planting season and varieties.
Garlic prefers cooler climates, so autumn is the best season to grow. When choosing a variety, you can choose the right variety according to your needs and planting environment. In general, purple-skinned garlic has a stronger flavor, while white-skinned garlic has a higher yield.
2. Prepare the soil and planting containers.
Garlic prefers fertile, well-drained soil. You can choose a mixture of humus, garden soil, and river sand. For potted plants, choose containers of the right depth and size to ensure there is enough space for the garlic to grow. Before planting, you can also add the right amount of organic fertilizer to the soil to provide adequate nutrients.
3. Treat garlic seeds.
When buying garlic seeds, choose garlic that looks healthy and is free of pests and diseases. Break the garlic into individual cloves, remove the skin, soak in water for 6-8 hours, and then dry for later use. Garlic seeds treated in this way have a higher germination rate and grow more robustly.
Fourth, the correct planting method.
Sowing: Sow the processed garlic cloves into the soil at appropriate intervals, generally 5-8 cm apart. The depth of sowing into the soil should be 1 2 to 2 3 of the garlic cloves. Lightly cover with a thin layer of soil and then gently compact.
Watering: Immediately after sowing, water once to make the soil fully moistened. Keep the soil moist but not too wet afterwards to avoid root rot. During the growing period, water at the right time according to the weather and soil conditions.
Light and temperature: Garlic needs plenty of light for photosynthesis. Place the planting container in a sunny area and receive at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. At the same time, keeping the right temperature range between 15-25 degrees Celsius is conducive to the growth and development of garlic.
Fertilization: During the growing period, regular fertilization provides the garlic with the nutrients it needs. You can choose organic fertilizer or compound fertilizer and apply it according to the instructions on the package. Generally, fertilization is sufficient every 2-3 weeks.
Pest control: Regularly check the growth of the plants and take immediate measures to control them as soon as they find signs of pests and diseases. A combination of biological and chemical control methods can be used to ensure the health of the plants. Common diseases include leaf blight, rust, etc., which can be controlled with corresponding agents. For insect pests such as garlic maggots, aphids, etc., biological pesticides can be used for control.
5. Harvesting and storage.
Garlic generally takes 4-6 months to grow before it can be harvested. When the garlic leaves start to turn yellow and dry up, it means that the garlic is ripe and ready for harvest. Gently scoop out the garlic with a spatula and dry it for a few days to remove excess moisture. Then store the garlic in a well-ventilated, dry place for use.
Bottom line: By choosing the right planting season and variety, preparing fertile soil and planting containers, handling garlic seeds, mastering the right planting methods, and harvesting and storing them at the right time, you can easily grow fresh garlic at home and add a touch of greenery and garlic flavor to your kitchen.