It takes time and effort to grow garlic in pots, but once you do it, it's easy and requires little attention. If you don't have outdoor space, this method is worth the effort. Luckily, you can grow any type of garlic in a container with relative ease. You can grow this tasty tuber all year round, no matter where you live, because pot garlic can be grown both indoors in the house or apartment and outdoors - on the terrace or balcony.
As with other garden-fresh foods, the taste of home-grown garlic will immediately win you over. That's why you should definitely try growing some types of garlic in a container! Find out below how you can plant garlic in a pot!
The right time to plant garlic in containers
You can plant garlic in the fall when temperatures begin to drop. Long before the leaves appear, garlic cloves begin to take root. Planting garlic in the fall gives it a head start on development in the spring because the colder weather stimulates root development without causing rapid leaf formation.
Grow garlic in the appropriate container
Next, choose a container that is suitable for the type of garlic you want to grow in your pots. Although many people prefer terracotta pots, they are not the ideal solution for garlic plants. Their porous nature makes watering over the next eight to nine months an absolute must that no gardener likes to deal with. In addition, the water that has penetrated the pores during frost in winter can cause the pots to break and peel off. For example, we would recommend a plastic pot or pot made of glazed ceramic. Make sure the pot is frost-resistant if it will be left outdoors all winter.
To ensure that the roots have enough space to develop, the container you choose should be at least 20 cm deep and have a drainage hole at the bottom. The number of garlic cloves you want to grow will determine the ideal width of the container.
Which soil for garlic in the pot?
For best results, use potting soil and a high-quality, well-draining, rich compost. To improve soil quality, mix one part compost with one part organic matter or well-rotted manure. Before planting, enrich the compost with a handful of organic slow-release fertilizer in granular form.
Find a location
Find a bright spot where the container gets at least 6 to 8 hours of sun every day. When planting in winter, make sure that the soil does not become too moist.
Water regularly
Make sure to water frequently and keep the soil moist during the growing season. Make sure that the pot does not get too wet or become waterlogged. Moisture in the pot increases the likelihood of disease if there is too much moisture and not enough sunlight.
How do I plant garlic in a pot?
- Fill in enough potting soil.
- Carefully separate the garlic cloves from the head. There is no need to remove the papery coverings of the toes.
- The pointed end of the toes should point downward into the soil. Make sure that the distance is 7 – 8 cm.
- Place the toes approximately 2 cm deep into the soil. Firm the soil around the garlic cloves by lightly tapping them down.
Once the garlic plants germinate in spring, you should fertilize them every two weeks and keep the soil evenly moist.
Overwinter garlic in the pot
If there are no severe frosts in winter, you can leave the pot outside all winter. If there are severe frosts, you should put it in a protected, bright place - at 5 - 10 degrees. Collect fallen leaves or straw and pile it around the edges of the pot to insulate the soil and bulbs. Another option is to use several layers of bubble wrap to insulate the pot.
Planting garlic in a pot: when to harvest?
It is common for garlic leaves to turn yellow at the beginning of summer. When they turn 2/3 yellow, you should remove them from the pot and expose the garlic heads.
Also interesting:Harvesting garlic: Recognizing the right time, drying and storing
Growing garlic indoors on the windowsill
Garlic can be successfully grown in containers indoors. To grow, use a cut bottle: insert the top part of the bottle - the bottle neck - into the bottom part of the bottle and fill this homemade pot with soil. Once the leaves of the garlic cloves emerge from the soil, simply place them in a south-facing window and water them regularly.
@kellys_gardenSow garlic segments in September and October to grow your own garlic bulbs.#fyp #foryoupage #foryou #gardening #gardeninguk #garlic #growyourownfood #vegetables #vegetablegarden #garden #containergarden ♬ Summer day – TimTaj
What else can you do with garlic? Discoverin this article!
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