Growing Garlic...

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Garlic grows best in deep, loamy, fertile soil in full sun. The soil must be well-drained, or the poor drainage will cause fungus and rot.

Garlic grown in low sulfur soil won't taste very well; Sulfur gives garlic its characteristic flavor and nutritional value.

Plant each unpeeled clove pointed end up, then cover with soil. Don't jam cloves into hard, packed soil.) Plant 4 inches deep in cold winter areas. Mulch heavily with straw or leaves. Place cloves six inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. Keep evenly moist, but not wet.

Rotate crops! Don't plant garlic where you've grown any other alliums (onion family) for at least three years.

Plant garlic when you plant your fall bulbs. Mid-October is about right for the northwest. The following season, when the garlic leaves begin to brown, it's time to harvest. Dont' wait until all of the leaves are brown: If you wait too long, the bulbs will start breaking through their wrappers and they won't store very well.

Cut back on water about two to three weeks before harvest to keep the bulb wrappers dry and strong. Don't wash the harvested garlic. After the bulbs dry, rub off excess soil by hand. Cure garlic before storing. Dry in any shaded spot for up to two weeks. Store garlic where it will be as cold as possible without freezing, and with good air circulation.

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