Self-Sufficient.co.uk
Find out more about Self Sufficiency
Site Search
Main Menu
Top Products
Fruit TreesPolytunnel
Water Butts
Strimmer
Shed
Greenhouse
Porous Pipe
Latest Articles
Allotment Gardening
Grow all you can eat on your own allotment.
grow your own
20:32, 10th May 2014
Smallholding for Sale in North Devon
Three bedroom detached house in 18 acres for sale - North Devon, UK
smallholding
20:48, 17th Mar 2013
Nettles
Find out more about nettles - how to benefit from them and how to get rid of them
foraging
16:12, 13th Apr 2012
Making Nettle Beer
Find out how to make your nettle beer
recipes
16:10, 13th Apr 2012
How to Make Sloe Gin
Find out how to make your own sloe gin
recipes
14:40, 13th Apr 2012
Grow Your Own Chilli Peppers
Find out how to grow your own chilli peppers
grow your own
13:33, 16th Mar 2012
Home Beekeeping
Find out more about keeping bees in your garden for honey
grow your own
15:40, 4th Jan 2012
Storing Apples
Find out how to store apples
fruits
13:23, 28th Jul 2011
Growing Garlic
Find out how to grow your own garlic
Growing Garlic
grow your own | vegetablesIf you are only going to grow one crop, then garlic should be near to the top of the list of crops to consider. It takes up very little space, does not require rich soil, is expensive to buy in the supermarket, is delicious and healthy, and is very easy to grow. In addition, when you have tasted your own home-grown garlic, you will never want to eat commercial garlic again.
Growing Garlic
Although it is possible to grow garlic from the cloves of a supermarket bought bulb, the results are likely to disappoint. Most garlic sold in the UK is imported from abroad where weather conditions are completely different. Instead purchase bulbs of garlic from a seed catalogue or local garden centre.
As mentioned earlier, garlic does not require rich soil, however it does need free draining soil (to prevent the roots from rotting). If your soil contains a lot of clay, dig in some sand to help increase drainage. Garlic should be planted in December (traditionally on the shortest day of the year), and can be harvested in late June or July.
Planting and Harvesting Garlic
Break the bulb carefully up into individual cloves. These should be planted two inches deep and 6 inches apart. After that, you will just need to occasionally weed between the garlic plants in the spring with a hoe, and water a little during any long dry spells. It is also possible to grow garlic in containers.
When garlic is ready to harvest the green foliage will begin to turn yellow and dry out. When more than half of your crop has done this, lift all of the garlic plants with a fork. Garlic must be dried out if it is to keep well, so shake off any excess soil from around the roots and hang the plants up to dry in a sheltered spot or indoors.
Companion Planting
Because of its strong smell, garlic is excellent at repelling flies and other pests. Traditionally garlic is planted around rose bushes and other flowering plants in order to protect them from greenfly.
Article Published: 13:19, 5th Jul 2008
Related Articles
Companion Planting
Find out about the benefits of companion planting
Article Published: 09:27, 12th Jul 2008
grow your own | vegetables
Make Newspaper Plant Pots
Find out how to make your own environmentally friendly plant pots from newspaper
Article Published: 12:39, 5th Jul 2008
grow your own | vegetables
Growing Asparagus
Find out how to grow your own asparagus
Article Published: 12:55, 18th May 2010
grow your own | vegetables
Crop Rotation
Find out more about the importance of crop rotation
Article Published: 09:08, 5th Jul 2008
grow your own | vegetables
Allotment Gardening
Grow all you can eat on your own allotment.
Article Published: 20:32, 10th May 2014
grow your own | vegetables
Growing Rhubarb
Find out how to grow and care for rhubarb
Article Published: 14:59, 15th Jul 2008
grow your own | vegetables
Growing Shallots
Find out how to grow your own shallots
Article Published: 08:06, 12th Jul 2008
grow your own | vegetables
Make Caramelised Onion Chutney
Make a delicious caramelised onion chutney
Article Published: 08:33, 22nd May 2010
preserving | vegetables | grow your own | recipes
Making Pickled Onions
Find out how to pickle onions
Article Published: 15:05, 7th Jul 2008
preserving | vegetables | grow your own
Potato Clamp Storing Potatoes
Store potatoes (and other vegetables) over winter with a potato clamp
Article Published: 15:05, 7th Jul 2008
preserving | vegetables | grow your own