Garlic

Growing

When selecting planting material, choose large, healthy bulbs and separate them into individual cloves. Larger cloves promote larger bulbs. In colder regions, plant cloves about six weeks before the ground freezes so the plants can establish roots without producing shoots above the soil. Choose variety by local climate; hardneck varieties require a period of cold exposure, while softneck varieties suit milder environments.

Cut the scapes (the curly flowering stalks) from hardneck varieties once they appear, so the plant directs its energy to the underground cloves. The scapes are edible. Garlic is a hardy crop that can repel pests like rabbits or moles, but watch your soil for signs of white rot or nematodes, as these pathogens are difficult to eradicate once established.

Once the bulbs are mature and ready to harvest in late spring or early summer, keep the tops attached to help them last longer. Store the harvest unwashed in a cool, dark, dry place, such as a cellar. To keep the cloves from sprouting too early, keep them in a warm, dry environment. For long-term use, blanch garlic before freezing it.