Garlic is an important kitchen ingredient that is used in many Indian dishes and offers amazing health benefits. Garlic is a species in the onion genre Allium and its scientific name is Allium sativum. It is said to be native to the neighboring China as well as the Mediterranean.
Growing garlic in pots is not a difficult task and with this you will be able to get the supply of fresh green stalks, flowers, and even the garlic bulbs for yourself. Here are few things to consider while growing garlic:
When to Plant
Generally, the fall or spring is the right planting season for garlic outdoors in your gardens but if want to grow them indoors then you can try to plant it anytime in the year. If planted properly and with good care you can enjoy your home grown garlic anytime.
Get the right pot
It is better to look for a container that is 8 to 10 inches deep. And if you plan to grow garlic greens, then plant the cloves close to each other. But, if you are planning to grow garlic bulbs then you need to maintain a 4-inch gap between each clove. Make sure that your container has drainage holes in the bottom.
Filling the pot
Now you will have to fill the container with the organic soil mixture. For that, take out the individual cloves from the garlic bulbs and see that the flat end is pointing downwards in the soil as this is the place from where the roots will come. While filling the soil, you can also add time-based grainy fertilizer like 10-10-10. And when planting them, push the cloves downward at least 2 to 3 inches deep into the soil. There must be about 1 inch of soil between the clove crest and the top layer of soil.
You should always use right soil that is well-draining and porous. You can also make your own mix by adding cocopeat, manure and either perlite or vermiculite in equal ratio.
Location
After planting the bulbs decide where you want to place the container. If there is a room in your house that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day then that would be best. Or else you can buy indoor grow lights to make your plants grow easier.
Watering
If you have planted garlic outdoors, then it will need evenly moist soil. But as you are growing garlic indoors, you need to be cautious. Watering should be done as per the indoor growing requirements. For instance, how much sunlight and heat your garlic plants are getting daily, you will have to give water accordingly.
Fertilization
It is important to know that garlic requires a good amount of fertilizer to grow properly – whether indoor or outdoor. You must fertilize the garlic plant two times in a month with an organic all-purpose fertilizer during the warm season. You can also make use of fish fertilizer or kelp meal to ensure your garlic plant has adequate nutrients for finest growth.
Harvesting
If you provide right soil, sunlight and proper watering, in 7 to 10 days you will observe the fresh new garlic shoots coming out. Also you can start picking out the greens once they are 4 to 6 inches tall. But remember to leave an inch of growth on each clove to let your garlic plants grow again.
When you are growing garlic indoors for garlic bulbs, remember that it will be ready in 8 to 10 months and you will see the color of leaves turning brown. At this point of time, take them out from the soil and let it dry for a week. And now it is ready to be included in your dishes.
Enjoy your own homegrown fresh garlic!!!!
