Growing garlic in Florida is tricky business. While I adore all things pumpkin this time of year, October is my month to set garlic bulbs. An assortment of garlic is available for purchase, though I buy mine from my local seed and feed. Gotta support my community, right? Better yet, I can hand pick the bulbs, choosing only the ones that look best. One of the issues with garlic is fungal disease–another reason I like to eyeball my bulbs before purchase.
One thing to keep in mind when growing garlic is that these babies take time, and lots of it. Like sweet onions, I plant garlic in the fall and harvest the following summer. By my count, that’s about six months. UGH. Tough when you’re the gardener excited about growing and harvesting your garlic.
But once you make the decision and commit, you’ll be glad you did. Homegrown garlic is worth the wait. Here in Florida, I plant my bulbs in October, after I pre-soak them overnight in a baking soda-vinegar solution to prevent fungal diseases, about 1 TBSP of each per gallon of water. Some suggest the addition of liquid seaweed to the solution to encourage root growth, though I usually wait and use the seaweed to fertilize them once in the ground.
As with most vegetables in the garden, garlic prefers an organic-rich well-drained soil. If you live where it freezes, you’ll plant your bulbs in fall and mulch well, protecting the garlic and encouraging worms to hibernate with your bulbs.
Garlic is a light feeder and prefers low, but don’t let them dry out. Again, a heavy layer of mulch will work wonders when it comes to a successful crop of garlic. Plant your bulbs approx. 2” deep. When selecting your fertilizer, remember that too much nitrogen will inhibit clove growth by directing the plant’s energy into growing beautiful leaves. You want a lovely array of green leaves, but not an overabundance.
You’ll know it’s time to harvest your garlic leaves begin to die back. Dig gently around one of your plants and check the clove. If your bulbs aren’t as large as you’d like, go ahead and give your garlic a little while longer. No worries—this isn’t an exact science!
When satisfied, gingerly unearth your plants and pull your bulbs from the ground. You’ll want to cure garlic to ensure proper storage. Once harvested, spread the plants out on the ground or preferably a raised screen, allowing for proper air circulation throughout the drying process. This can take a week or two. They’re finished when the skins are dry and the necks tight.
In Florida, I lay mine out on a picnic table beneath a tree. It’s warm here and I don’t want to damage my garlic by exposing it to the heat. I’ll roast them in the oven, thank you. Cut the stems off and store in a cool dry place, or weave necks together and store in a hanging fashion!
For full details on growing garlic, check out my How-To Grow Guide. Good luck!
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