How to Grow Garlic (Part 2) | Water, Fertilizing, Pests & Diseases

Summary

In this video, Kevin Espiritu from Epic Gardening revisits his garlic-growing journey, discussing the lessons learned after his previous crop was destroyed by a skunk. He shares insights into planting, mulching, watering, and fertilizing garlic, especially in warmer climates. Kevin highlights his deep mulching technique and fertigation process, which help promote healthy garlic growth. He also talks about common issues like weeding, diseases, and pests. Ultimately, this video offers valuable tips for cultivating garlic successfully, with a look forward to the next phase of garlic care, including scapes and harvest.

Takeaways

• 😀 Garlic can be a long-growing crop, taking anywhere from 120 to 220 days depending on when you plant it.
• 😀 Skunks caused major issues in last year’s garlic crop by digging up the plants multiple times, leading to failure.
• 😀 This year, the garlic is planted in the ground with deep mulch, which helps keep the soil cool and the garlic well-protected.
• 😀 Nine out of the 10 garlic varieties planted are hardneck types, which are known for producing garlic scapes, a gardening delicacy.
• 😀 Garlic is a shallow-rooted plant, so it requires consistent moisture in the top layers of soil during its growth phase.
• 😀 A dual mulch method—straw and mushroom compost—keeps the garlic’s roots insulated and the soil temperature stable.
• 😀 Garlic care includes observing plant growth regularly. Look for healthy green leaves to indicate your garlic is progressing well.
• 😀 Liquid fertilizer, like Espoma Organic’s liquid all-purpose, is used effectively through fertigation (watering and fertilizing at the same time).
• 😀 It’s important to stop fertilizing once garlic bulbs begin to form, focusing only on keeping them well-watered from that point on.
• 😀 Weeds, pests (like thrips and mites), and diseases (like garlic rust and powdery mildew) are common challenges when growing garlic.
• 😀 Garlic requires patience and attention. Despite challenges like pests or weather, growing garlic can be highly rewarding, especially after a long season.

Q & A

Why did the garlic crop fail last year?

The garlic failed last year because a skunk dug it up three times, damaging the bulbs. Garlic requires long, uninterrupted growth periods to thrive, and the disruption prevented the crop from developing properly.

What is the main goal of growing garlic at the new Epic Homestead?

The main goal at the new Epic Homestead is to grow garlic with better conditions, experimenting with different planting methods, such as a deeper mulch and burial system, and growing hardneck garlic varieties for both bulbs and scapes.

Why does the grower use a deeper mulch and burial method for garlic planting?

The grower uses a deeper mulch and burial method to maintain cooler soil temperatures, which is particularly important in warmer zones like San Diego, where temperatures can rise quickly, affecting garlic growth.

How deep are the garlic cloves planted, and why is this important?

The garlic cloves are planted about six inches deep. This depth helps ensure the bulbs are well-insulated and protected from high temperatures, and it also supports proper growth and rooting.

What is the significance of garlic scapes in this growing experiment?

Garlic scapes are a delicacy, and the grower specifically chose hardneck garlic varieties to grow them. Scapes are the flower stalks of hardneck garlic, and they add a unique flavor to dishes.

Why does the grower choose to grow nine hardneck garlic varieties instead of softneck garlic?

The grower prefers hardneck garlic varieties because they produce garlic scapes, which are a delicacy. Though softneck garlic is better suited for warmer zones, the grower wanted to experiment with hardneck types despite the challenges.

How does the grower manage garlic watering and why is it important?

The grower waters garlic by paying close attention to the shallow root system. Since garlic has a shallow root zone, it's critical to ensure the roots get enough water during its growth phase, particularly when the plant is producing leaves.

What is 'fertigation' and how does it benefit garlic growth?

'Fertigation' is the practice of fertilizing through the irrigation system. The grower uses a liquid fertilizer applied via a sprayer, which efficiently distributes nutrients to the garlic while watering, enhancing plant growth.

When should you stop fertilizing garlic during its growth cycle?

You should stop fertilizing garlic when the stalk starts to thicken and significant leaf growth is visible, as this indicates the bulb formation phase has begun. Continuing to fertilize after this point can interfere with the bulb development.

What are common problems that may affect garlic growth, and how can they be managed?

Common problems include weeding, disease (such as garlic rust and powdery mildew), and pests like thrips and mites. The grower suggests removing weeds, cutting affected leaves, and ensuring good air circulation to prevent disease. Garlic generally repels most pests, so they aren't usually a major issue.