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Garlic is a common ingredient in worldwide cuisines. They are known for their distinctive flavour and aromatic qualities. Garlic can be used both raw and cooked in a wide array of dishes from sauces and marinades to soups and stews. The pungent taste of the garlic often mellows and sweetens down when roasted or sauteed, adding depth and complexity to the recipes.
As discussed, it is one of the used ingredients, nothing can be better than growing garlic in your home kitchen. This is a rewarding and simple process that yields fresh, flavourful bulbs perfect for culinary uses. If you have a small kitchen windowsill, you can easily cultivate garlic at home. However, before that, you need to go through the steps so that you get a fresh yield. Take a look at the steps:
- Choose The Right Garlic Variety
For growing garlic, the first step is to select the right variety. There are two types of garlic – softneck and hardneck. Softneck garlic is best suited for warmer climates are commonly found in grocery stores, whereas hardneck garlic thrives in cooler climates and offers a complex flavour. For growing garlic at home, especially if you’re planting indoors, softneck garlic is recommended due to its adaptability and longer shelf life.
- Prepare The Planting Medium
Garlic thrives best in the well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. You need to prepare a planting medium and for that, a mix of potting soil and compost is required. This blend ensures that the garlic has essential nutrients and proper drainage. Choose a pot with proper drainage holes to prevent water from stagnating which will cause the bulbs to rot. It is advisable to use a container that is at least 6 inches deep to help the garlic develop healthy roots and bulbs. Fill the pot with the soil mix, leaving about an inch of space at the top.
- Plant The Garlic Cloves
Separate the individual cloves from the garlic bulb, keeping the papery skin intact. Each clove will grow into a new garlic plant. Plant the cloves about 2 inches deep, pointed end up and space them 4-6 inches apart so that each bulb gets enough room for development. If you’re using a small pot, place a few cloves with adequate spacing. After planting, cover the cloves with soil and gently pat it down. Water the soil lightly to help settle it around the clove.
- Provide Proper Care
Consistent care is needed for garlic to thrive. Place the pot in such a location that it receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily, such as a sunny windowsill. Water the garlic regularly and ensure that the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Do not overwater. As the garlic grows, you may notice shoots emerging. These are garlic greens and can be harvested and used in cooking or left to support bulb development.
- Harvest and Cure
Garlic takes about 8-10 months to get typically harvested. How you’ll know? Well, when it’s time to harvest, the lower leaves will start to yellow and will die back. To harvest, gently loosen the soil around the bulbs and pull them out. Make sure you do not bruise the bulbs, as this can affect their storage life. After harvesting, cure the garlic by hanging the bulbs in a dry, well-ventilated area for about two weeks. This process allows the skin to become dry and harden, thus improving their storage quality. After curing, trim the roots and stalks and store the garlic in a cool and dark place.
