Garlic is one of the most popular cooking ingredients in the world. It’s often used to add flavor to dishes, but it can also be eaten raw. Garlic is more than just a cooking staple; in fact, it is also a functional food. Studies show that garlic confers cardiovascular and anti-cancer benefits. Moreover, it can be used to treat bacterial infections, boost immunity and lower cholesterol and glucose levels, as previously noted. Here Joanne Washburn, Food.news, reflects on six step guide to growing gorgeous garlic:

“There’s nothing like the comforting scent of freshly cooked garlic in your pasta, stir-fried rice or plain toast. Fortunately, garlic is ridiculously easy to plant, even for beginner gardeners.

You don’t even need an expansive outdoor space or garden. If you’re pressed for space, just grab some dirt and a couple of empty containers and you’ll be good to go for indoor gardening.

Here’s a step by step guide to successfully planting, harvesting and storing your first batch of garlic. You’ll be saying goodbye to store-bought bulbs in no time!

Choosing garlic

Don’t feel intimidated by the dozens of garlic varieties you’ll find online or in garden catalogs. For general purposes, it’s enough to know how to distinguish between softneck and hardneck garlic varieties.

Softneck garlic is the garlic that’s often found in most supermarkets. Its bulb has a milder flavor. It’s also the more popular kind of garlic in places with hot summers and mild winters.

Meanwhile, hardneck garlic has a complex flavor closer to that of wild garlic. Hardnecks are a popular choice among gardeners living in places with colder climates. Gardeners in the US can use either kind.

Planting garlic

Garlic grows best in loose, fertile soil that’s as weed-free as possible. Insert the cloves root-side down in holes that are about two inches deep. Keep the cloves at least eight inches apart from each other.

Green shoots will appear about two to four weeks after planting. Place some mulch around the garlic shoots to lock in moisture and protect them from a hard frost.

If the frost killed the shoots, just pull back the mulch in the spring when new shoots emerge. Keep weeding and take care not to pour water into the crowns of the plants.”

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