It is very common to see green sprouts shooting from garlic bought from the store. This often occurs when the bulb is kept on the kitchen counter for an extended period. Home gardeners often wonder if they can use this to grow new garlic.
Growing garlic from store-bought bulbs is indeed possible; however, results can be unpredictable. This article will walk you through a few things to consider before you start.
Difference Between Store-Bought Garlic and Seed Garlic
Growing garlic from store-bought garlic is very different from growing it from certified seed garlic. The latter is specifically used for planting and is available in both softneck and hardneck varieties. It is carefully stored and guaranteed to be disease-free for planting purposes.
On the other hand, growing garlic from store-bought garlic can be unpredictable, since it is meant for consumption. Though it is an inexpensive option for growing garlic and is easy to find at any grocery store, some may sprout while others may not.
Although certified seed garlic is more expensive, it is also more reliable, and its bulbs tend to be much healthier.
Things to Consider before Planting Store-Bought Garlic
Condition
Garlic sold in a grocery store is often not in the best condition. It is usually stored for a long time, sometimes for over a year, before reaching customers. They are known to be drier and treated with chemicals to prevent sprouting and pests.
Therefore, it can be hard to grow large plants using these cloves. This process often yields small bulbs, leaving gardeners disappointed. Garlic bulbs available in grocery stores are also treated to extend their shelf life, making them less suitable for growing garlic.
Pests and Diseases
Garlic available in grocery stores is commonly grown in China or California, where it is prone to diseases, viruses, and parasites, which could infiltrate your soil as well. On the outside, these garlic bulbs may look harmless, but the microscopic invaders often stay hidden until the right conditions appear.
Pests from such garlic can enter the soil and infect other plants. Once they infiltrate the soil, these pathogens and parasites may take years to disappear.
It is better to be careful before planting store-bought garlic in an outdoor garden among other growing plants.
Region
Store-bought garlic may not always adapt to your local climate and area. Hardneck garlic is ideal for cold regions and is planted in late fall for summer harvest. On the other hand, softneck garlic thrives in warmer areas and is planted in spring for a fall harvest.
Buying certified seed garlic is beneficial because you will know exactly which variety you are getting. Additionally, treated garlic may fail to grow or even produce weak plants.
How to Grow Garlic From Store-Bought Garlic?
Time Your Planting
Plant garlic according to your local climate. In most regions, fall planting works best, ideally a few weeks before the ground freezes. In mild climates, it also works to plant during late winter.
Select the Right Bulbs
It is important to choose the right bulbs when buying store-bought garlic. Make sure to choose firm and plump bulbs with tight skins. Local or organic garlic is usually the best option. It is better to avoid cloves that feel hollow or carry an unusual smell.
Prepare and Plant
It is important to keep the basal plate intact, so make sure to separate the garlic head into individual cloves before planting. While planting, place each clove about 2 inches deep, with a 4 to 6-inch spacing between them, with the pointed end facing up.
Water and Mulch
Water the garlic thoroughly and make sure to weed them. In regions where freezing can occur, make sure to cover the bed with mulch for protection. Mulch can be removed once the temperature rises.
Fertilize
Garlic needs plenty of nutrients to grow well. Throughout the spring, it should be fertilized, and can be stopped a few weeks before harvest.
Harvest With Care
Garlic takes around seven months to mature. Stop watering when the leaf tip starts to turn brown; this will let the stalks dry. In two weeks, garlic can be lifted from the ground and harvested.
Conclusion
Growing garlic from store-bought garlic bulbs can be an interesting task, and gardeners should often be ready for unexpected results. A small but satisfying harvest can be enjoyed after investing time in its care and immense patience. For consistent, healthy yields, it is better to use certified seed garlic.