3. Garlic – The part that we use in cooking is also the part that propagates the plant. Garlic is generally grown from each clove in a bulb. Garlic is very long growing period from planting to harvest. If planting outdoors, you can plant cloves 1 ½ inches deep in Oct to mid November for harvest in June next year. That is if you are in a temperature zone where the ground doesn’t freeze below 6 inches deep. Otherwise you will have to start in pots indoors. Growing indoors garlic should also be started in Oct because of the long growing period. Garlic requires a lot of sun like most indoor herbs. Your seed garlic should be chilled in the refrigerator for a period of time to awaken it out of dormancy. (I have seen garlic bulbs from the grocery put out a 6 inch shoot if left long enough in the vegetable drawer). When starting garlic, it is suggested you use nursery bulbs of one of the French varieties of garlic.
Garlic Plants Growing -- Purchased from
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Starting – Use a pot of at least 6 inch diameter filled with potting soil that will drain well. Peel the husk off each clove to be planted. Plant with the slightly concave end down since the shoot comes out of the other end. Plant about 1 ½ inches deep. Water well and drain. Then give the little guys a lot of sunlight. At least 5 to 6 hours each day. And I would add a couple of hours of artificial light to that.
Patience – is required for the garlic to grow and produce usable bulbs. The Bulb is the only part used in cooking. (Growing period will be around 90 to 120 days in most cases.)
Storing – Never in oil as that can lead to botulism. Store it in a cool place away from direct sunlight. The advice is to not store in the refrigerator but I have done so without any seeming damage to the bulb. But I did put the bulb in a plastic bag and kept it in a moisture and temperature controlled vegetable drawer. Once it sprouts or goes soft throw it out.
Uses – In red sauces for Italian cooking, with about any tomato dish, garlic mushroom chicken, fresh garlic bread and many other recipes.
Garlic Chives are a good alternative to garlic. The chives are easier to grow and are milder in flavor than regular garlic bulbs.
Garlic Chives 4/15/2012