Garlic is one of about 700 species of Allum or onion, grown all over the world for culinary and medicinal value. Garlic’s distinctive, pungent aroma and flavour has made it one of the most popular culinary herbs. It is widely used in oriental and Mediterranean- style dishes. Garlic is an effective insect repellent and is often planted as a companion to roses and citrus to reduce aphids and other sap-sucking insects.

The cloves can also be used crushed or chopped to add flavour when cooking. Garlic contains vitamins A, B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin) and C. As a culinary plant, green garlic shoots, cut fresh from the garden have become a fashionable ingredient to many dishes.

Garlic can be cultivated and is easy to grow in gardens in and around Brisbane. It is related to the onion but its bulb is a cluster of small cloves. The plant grows up to approximately 60cms tall having flat, long, pointed leaves and bears clusters of white flowers. It is frost hardy and prefers a well-drained soil.

Although commercial growers start planting in February and March to get an early crop, late autumn to early winter is a good time to plant garlic bulbs.

Be prepared

Garlic needs a sunny position and a well-conditioned soil that allows excess moisture to drain away freely. If you are at all concerned about achieving perfect drainage in your garden, consider planting garlic in conditioned soil that is raised in mounds or beds above the surrounding soil level. Ideally, the pH should be between 6 and 7. Seek advice from a Hawkins Horticultural Advisor if you are unsure about the pH level of your soil and how to adjust it. To condition the soil and build it up, work a complete fertiliser, well-rotted manure, Searles Real Compost and blood and bone into the soil..

For best results

Garlic starts growing when the cloves are separated so make sure your soil is prepared in advance. Plant single cloves 3cm deep allowing 10-15cm spacings between each clove. Rows should be 40 to 60cm apart.

Maintenance

A side dressing of blood and bone (one handful per square metre) in August and October will keep your garlic growing healthy and strong.

Pest and disease patrol

The greatest threat to garlic is thrips. Thrips suck sap from the foliage, resulting in reduced size of the cloves. Thrips can be controlled naturally by spraying with Beat a Bug or Neem Oil as soon as they are noticed. Yates Confidor is a chemical, but low toxic, alternative.

White rot could be evident when cloves are broken apart prior to planting. If cloves show any sign of rotting, dispose of the whole clump in the garbage.

Harvest

Garlic is harvested in summer when leaves have almost, but not completely died. Lift the plant from the soil with a garden fork and hang garlic bulbs in a cool dry place to dry.

Availability

Potted garlic plants are available from the extensive range of herbs at Hawkins Home & Garden Centres throughout the year.

Garlic bulbs for planting are available during the cooler months.