Planting and Harvesting Garlic

Planting garlic is much like planting tulips - the last two weeks of October are typically ideal. Prepare the planting area by ensuring it has well-draining soil and receives full sun exposure. Before planting, break the garlic bulbs into individual cloves while keeping their protective papery skin intact. Dig a hole for each clove, ensuring a depth of 2-3 inches and spacing them 6-8 inches apart. Place the cloves with the pointed end facing up, then cover them with soil, pressing gently to eliminate air pockets. Water the newly planted cloves thoroughly and maintain regular watering throughout the growing season, aiming to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Apply a layer of mulch to help retain moisture and discourage weed growth. Finally, protect the garlic from extreme winter temperatures by adding a layer of straw or hay over the bed.

In spring, if it's cold and wet, remove mulch to let soil warm up, then replace it later. This helps prevent rot and boosts growth. Harvest time is from mid-July to late-August. Plants are ready when top two-thirds of foliage turns yellow and bulbs have papery skin. For fresh eating, pick a few bulbs early to see how thick immature skin is. Harvest on a sunny, dry day, pulling bulbs from ground or forking out in heavy soil - e gentle to avoid bruising bulbs. Dry garlic before storing to prevent rot. Hang some bulbs in bunches away from direct sunlight, or stack on old bedsprings in a well-ventilated place. After a few weeks, remove dirt, cut off tops and roots, store bulbs in a dry location at 10 to 15°C. Enjoy your fresh garlic and stay vampire-free until next harvest!