How to Grow Garlic Information

Growing German Red Seed Garlic Bulbs

In early to mid-fall, at least two weeks before the ground freezes, prepare the growing space by creating 1-2 inch deep furrows 6-12 inches apart. Break the cloves apart when planting and insert them into the furrows with the pointy side up and the rounded root side down. Allow at least 4 inches between each clove. Carefully fill in the furrows with soil and water well. Top dress the soil with mulch or straw of at least 5-6 inches deep. This will help to mitigate any possible frost damage and to retain soil moisture. Do not fertilize at the time of planting. This might encourage the bulb to grow too early in the cycle and then become damaged by the winter. Fertilize early in spring up to just a few weeks before harvest. The typical planting time is October, and the typical harvest time is early summer or late spring. When the garlic scapes appear in the springtime, cut them off before they flower. These are also edible. Water infrequently and deeply throughout the growing season and stop watering about one week before the expected harvest (usually around when the scapes come on).

German Red Garlic Bulbs in the Vegetable Garden

Garlic is great to grow in the garden because pests of many kinds do not like to eat it. It can therefore deter pests from nearby plants. It is also a very low-maintenance plant in general. German Red Garlic can be stored for a moderate amount of time, 2-6 months depending on the quality of the storage location.

Harvesting German Red Garlic Bulbs

Fall-planted garlic in Northern climates is typically ready to be harvested in July or as late as early August in some areas. Your garlic will indicate its own maturity when at least four leaves on the stalks start to turn yellow, brown, and floppy. Carefully loosen the soil around the bulb with a trowel or other tool and firmly pull straight upward at the base of the stalk. If the first bulb pulled appears much smaller than expected, water the rest of the bulbs and repeat the test about one week later.

Curing and Storing German Red Garlic Garden Bulbs

After harvesting the garlic bulbs, do not remove any stalks or leaves until after they have cured. Shake off any excess soil but avoid getting it wet after harvesting. Then, in a warm location (less than 90F) and away from direct sunlight, the bulbs can either be dried vertically or with the roots up. Be sure to allow room between each bulb for maximum airflow. This curing process prepares the garlic for storage and greatly increases the shelf-life. Curing typically takes 10-14 days. Keep the bulbs intact until the cloves are needed. Store in a cool, dry environment for optimal longevity.

3 German Red Garlic Bulbs Per Package

Understanding Garlic Bulb Size Differences 🌱

Garlic bulb seeds and harvested garlic bulbs can vary in size due to a number of natural factors. Here's why:

• Growth Stages 🌱: Garlic grown for harvesting is often cultivated under specific conditions to produce large, uniform bulbs. When garlic is grown for seed, the priority is on the quality of the cloves and their ability to sprout, rather than size. This means that while seed garlic may be smaller or vary in size, it’s still highly viable and will produce healthy plants.
• Genetic Diversity 🧬:Garlic is an ancient crop with many varieties that can vary naturally in size. Each type has its own growth habits, clove formation, and size potential. This diversity is what makes garlic such a wonderful and versatile plant to grow!
• Environmental Factors 🌦️: The final size of a garlic bulb is influenced by weather, soil health, and growing conditions. Different environmental factors during cultivation can cause variations in size—even among the same variety.
• Purpose of Seed Garlic 🌾: The key consideration with seed garlic is not necessarily the size of the bulb but the health and viability of each clove. Smaller seed garlic can be just as productive in your garden as larger bulbs.

We assure you that whether large or small, all our garlic seed bulbs are of the highest quality and ready to produce delicious garlic in your garden.

If you have any concerns or questions, feel free to reach out. We appreciate your understanding and support of natural farming practices! 🌿✨




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