Garlic can be planted in spring or autumn, but autumn planting has its advantages: early harvest, large heads, better resistance to diseases and pests.
However, to successfully plant garlic in the fall, you need to follow some rules and conditions.
They were listed by the expert of the online publication "BelNovosti", agronomist and landscape designer Anastasia Kovrizhnykh.
Choosing a Garlic Variety
Only winter varieties of garlic are suitable for autumn planting; they can survive the winter in the soil and produce a good harvest the following year.
Winter varieties of garlic are divided into two groups: bolting and non-bolting.
Bolting varieties form flower stalks (arrows) with aerial bulbs (cloves), which can be used for propagation or as greens. Non-bolting varieties do not form arrows, but have larger and fleshier cloves. Examples of winter garlic varieties: Lyubasha, Alba, Sofievsky, Lyubitelsky, Grando.
Preparing soil and planting material
Garlic loves fertile, loose and well-drained soil with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction.
Before planting, the soil must be fertilized with organic or mineral fertilizers, as well as lime if the soil is acidic.
Planting material (garlic cloves) should be large, healthy and without damage. The cloves can be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate, phytosporin or another preparation for disease prevention.
Timing and method of planting garlic
The optimal time for planting garlic depends on the climate conditions of the region. In general, garlic should be planted 3-4 weeks before frost, so that the cloves have time to take root and form roots, but do not produce green shoots.
The method for planting garlic is simple: you need to make small holes or furrows at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other and 25-30 cm between rows.
The planting depth of the cloves should be 5-6 cm. The cloves should be planted with the sharp end up and lightly pressed to the soil. After planting, the holes or furrows should be filled with soil and watered well.
Caring for garlic before winter
Garlic requires regular watering, loosening and weeding after planting. In addition, it is recommended to mulch the soil, that is, cover it with a layer of organic matter such as straw, sawdust, peat or humus.
This helps to retain moisture, heat and nutrients in the soil, and prevents temperature fluctuations. Mulch should be spread 5-10 cm thick when the top layer of soil freezes to 2-3 cm.
Follow the recommendations in the article and you will be able to grow a high-quality and tasty garlic crop on your plot. Garlic is not only a healthy, but also a beautiful vegetable that will decorate your garden and delight you with its aroma and taste.
Expert: Anastasia Kovrizhnykh
