There are two types of garlic - winter and spring. Winter varieties are planted in the fall, and spring varieties - in the spring.
To get a good harvest of garlic, you need to fertilize it properly when planting.
The corresponding recommendations were shared by the expert of the online publication "BelNovosti", agronomist and landscape designer Anastasia Kovrizhnykh.
How to Prepare a Bed for Garlic
The first step is to prepare a bed for garlic. To do this, you need to do the following:
• Choose a location - garlic loves sunny and wind-protected places, with loose and fertile soil, without salinization and stagnant water.
• Clear the bed - garlic does not tolerate weeds, so you need to thoroughly clear the bed of them, as well as stones and debris.
• Plow the garden bed - garlic requires deep soil cultivation, so you need to plow the bed to a depth of 25-30 cm, scattering clods of earth.
What fertilizers to use for garlic
The second step is to choose and apply fertilizers for garlic. To do this, you need to know which fertilizers are suitable for this crop:
Organic fertilizers are fertilizers that contain organic substances such as compost, humus, chicken manure, etc. They saturate the soil with nutrients, improve its structure and moisture capacity. Organic fertilizers should be applied 2-3 weeks before planting garlic, scattering them over the bed or adding them to the soil.
Mineral fertilizers are fertilizers that contain mineral substances such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, etc. They stimulate the growth and development of garlic, increase its winter hardiness and immunity. Mineral fertilizers should be applied immediately before planting garlic, mixing them with the soil or making small holes under each clove.
Among mineral fertilizers, the following can be distinguished:
Superphosphate is a fertilizer that contains phosphorus and calcium. It promotes the formation of large and high-quality heads of garlic, and also increases its resistance to diseases. Superphosphate should be applied at 30-40 g per 1 sq. m of the bed.
Potassium salt is a fertilizer that contains potassium and chlorine. It improves metabolism in garlic, and also increases its winter hardiness and taste. Potassium salt should be added at 20-30 g per 1 sq. m of the garden bed.
Ammonium nitrate is a fertilizer that contains nitrogen and ammonia. It stimulates the growth and development of green mass of garlic, and also accelerates its maturation. Ammonium nitrate should be applied at 10-15 g per 1 sq. m of the bed.
How to plant garlic
To ensure garlic grows well, it needs to be planted correctly. Follow these steps:
Separate the heads - garlic is planted with cloves, which must be carefully separated from the head without damaging them. The cloves must be large, healthy and whole, without signs of disease or damage.
Treat the cloves - garlic cloves need to be treated before planting to protect them from pests and diseases. For this, you can use a solution of potassium permanganate, soda or garlic infusion. The cloves need to be immersed in the solution for 15-20 minutes, and then dried in the air.
Plant the cloves - garlic cloves should be planted at a depth of 5-7 cm, leaving a distance of 10-15 cm between them. The cloves should be planted with the sharp end up and the flat end down. After planting, the cloves should be covered with a layer of soil and lightly tamped.
With this method, you can grow large and aromatic garlic, which will bring you much joy with its healing properties.
Expert: Anastasia Kovrizhnykh
