GROWING GARLIC

Ecological Requirements

Garlic requires fertile and well-drained light soil, clay soils should be avoided since they lead to poor bulb development. They don't do good in extremely high temperatures high temperature leads to low production of garlic. Garlic grows well at an altitude of between 500 - 2000 meters above sea level. The best temperature to grow garlic is between 12° to 24°c. The soil pH should be between 5.5 to 6.8. Deep plowing is recommended for good root depth. Garlic is grown in regions with low rainfall where irrigation can be practiced especially during the early stage of growth. Sufficient sunlight is required for bulb development during the growing period. 

 Land preparation 

Prepare the land and ensure the soil is loose and airy to a depth of 6.8 inches. The grower should ensure the soil has no rocks and plant debris. The drip should not be set where garlic had been grown lastly.  Application of fertilizers should be done to the soil during land preparation, well decomposed manure is dug in the soil. The TSP fertilizer is dug in during the planting. 

Spacing and Planting

Garlic is grown on raised beds or ridges at a spacing of 30cm between rows and 15cm between the plants. The required seed clove is 200 to 280kg per acre. The cloves should be planted at least 2 to 3 cm deep in well-firmed soils. To determine whether the seeds are ready for transplanting the grower cuts a cross-section of the clove to check if the Inner leaf is developing. The color and the appearance of the clove help determine whether it is ready for planting.  The grower can propagate garlic with vegetables hence the grower has to plant individual cloves with the main bulb. Cloves should be planted in an upright position. The bulbs intended to be used as seeds should be stored in a cool place at 10° C . Fertilizer application in a garlic farm is guided by the soil test results. The fertilizer should be mixed well with the soil for good growth and high yields. 

Garlic should be weeded thoroughly to ensure that the garlic does not compete for nutrients with the weeds. 

Pest and Diseases Control

They are controlled through crop rotation, improved drainage, or using the appropriate fungicides. 

Harvesting and Curing

Garlic is harvested 4_5 months after planting. The leaves turn green which later turns brown. To check if they a ready for harvesting pull back the soil around the bulbs, if the clove ridges are clear and the bulbs are in the desired size and some of the leaves have died back then it means they are ready for harvesting. Do not delay during harvesting until the leaves die back. They are mostly harvesting by pulling out from the ground. Shake or brush off any excess dirt and don't bang them against each other. 

Garlic is always cured after harvesting, the curing process gives the bulbs the chance to thoroughly dry and adjust to the outside conditions. Curing is very essential especially if the bulbs are not quite mature. It's advised to cure undercover where the temperature fluctuates less. The plants should be left intact nothing should be removed and hung in brunches or placed on racks in a dry airy position and leave them for 2 to 3 weeks.

Garlic is stored in mesh bags or loosely woven baskets this helps them last longer.

For more information on garlic farming, you can contact www.stephensnatural.com for guidance and consultancy.