Grow_Your_Own_Garlic

If you love cooking with garlic, why not grow your own? Garlic is one of the easiest and most rewarding crops to grow at home. With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy fresh, flavorful cloves right from your garden. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned gardener, planting garlic is a must-try for any green thumb. The best time to plant garlic is in the fall—about 4 to 6 weeks before the ground freezes. This gives the bulbs time to establish roots before winter. Choose a sunny location with loose, well-drained soil. Avoid soggy spots, as garlic doesn’t like wet feet! Start with healthy garlic bulbs from a garden center or online supplier (avoid supermarket garlic, which may be treated not to sprout). Gently break the bulb apart into individual cloves, keeping the papery skins intact. Plant each clove pointed-end up, about 2 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart in rows. Once planted, cover the bed with a layer of mulch—like straw or shredded leaves—to protect the cloves from cold and weeds. Garlic needs little care over winter, but come spring, it will begin growing again. Keep the soil moist but not soaked, and remove any weeds that compete for nutrients. In early summer, garlic will start to form curly flower stalks called “scapes.” Snip these off to encourage bigger bulbs and use them in cooking!