Why I'm Never Buying Onions and Garlic Again...

Summary

This video offers a comprehensive guide on growing garlic and onions at home, emphasizing their ease of cultivation, culinary versatility, and health benefits. From selecting the right bulbs to harvesting and curing, the host shares practical tips for beginners, highlighting the unique flavors and cost savings of homegrown produce. The video also discusses the therapeutic benefits of gardening and features a sponsorship by BetterHelp, promoting accessible online therapy.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Growing garlic and onions at home is quite simple and can be a significant part of one's food culture.
• 👨‍🌾 For beginners, garlic and onions are among the easiest crops to grow, offering a sense of accomplishment and success in gardening.
• 🧄 Garlic can be grown from cloves, and it's important to use untreated cloves for optimal growth.
• 🌡 The timing for planting garlic varies by zone, with colder areas planting in the fall for winter dormancy and spring growth.
• 🌿 Garlic can be harvested in various stages, including green garlic and garlic scapes, offering diverse culinary uses.
• 🍄 Curing garlic is essential, involving drying the bulbs for two to three weeks to ensure long-term storage.
• 🌱 Onions can be grown from seeds, sets, or starts, each offering different methods of cultivation.
• 🌿 Spring onions are a delicious and versatile product of the onion plant, used raw or cooked in various dishes.
• 🧅 The final harvest of onions occurs when the bulb has fully swelled and the stem has fallen over, signaling readiness.
• 💰 Growing your own garlic and onions can save money, especially when seeking high-quality produce from farmer's markets.
• 🎉 Beyond ease and savings, growing these crops is enjoyable and can lead to a continuous loop of free produce with proper storage and replanting.

Q & A

What are the two main crops discussed in the video?

The two main crops discussed in the video are onions and garlic.

Why are onions and garlic considered good crops for beginner gardeners?

Onions and garlic are considered good crops for beginner gardeners because they are relatively easy to grow and do not come with many issues like some other crops, such as tomatoes.

Where can you obtain garlic bulbs for planting?

You can obtain garlic bulbs for planting from garden or seed stores online, a farmer's market, or a grocery store. However, it's important to note that mass-produced garlic may be treated and could hinder growth.

What is the best time to plant garlic in zone 7B?

In zone 7B, the best time to plant garlic is at the end of the fall when the weather starts getting cold.

What is the benefit of planting garlic in the fall?

Planting garlic in the fall allows it to store in the ground over winter, essentially hibernating, and then it will be the first thing to sprout up in the garden when it gets warm in the spring.

What are the different forms of garlic that can be harvested throughout its growing life?

Garlic can be harvested in its younger form called green garlic, which is tender and more like a green onion with a garlic flavor. Additionally, if growing a hard neck variety, garlic scapes can be harvested, which are the flower stalks that emerge before the bulb matures.

What is the process of curing garlic and why is it important?

Curing garlic involves drying the freshly pulled garlic over the course of two to three weeks. This process is important as it helps to preserve the garlic for long-term storage.

What are the three main avenues for starting an onion journey?

The three main avenues for starting an onion journey are planting onion seeds directly in the soil, using onion sets which are dried bulbs, or planting onion starts which are pre-grown to a certain point.

Why is it beneficial to grow onions and garlic at home?

Growing onions and garlic at home is beneficial because it allows for access to fresh, homegrown produce that is not commonly found in stores. It also provides a continuous supply of these staples throughout the growing season, saving money and offering culinary versatility.

What are the five points that convince the viewer to grow onions and garlic at home?

The five points are: 1) Unique products like spring onions and garlic scapes are not commonly found in stores. 2) Freshness of homegrown produce compared to store-bought. 3) The convenience of having these staples readily available for cooking. 4) Money savings from not having to purchase these staples. 5) The fun and ease of growing these crops.