Garlic

Profile

Family

Alliaceae

Habit

perennial

Height

0.6 m

Spread

0.2 m

Growth

medium

Lifespan

5 years

First yield

after 2 years

Hardiness

zone 7–10

Shade tolerance

light shade

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam

Soil moisture

very dry – very moist

pH

6 – 7.5

Planned in gardens

3×

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Garlic is a common ingredient in Southern European cuisine, utilized in both raw and cooked forms for its nutritional value and health benefits. Its intense flavor means it is typically used sparingly to enhance the taste of salads and cooked dishes. Garlic bulbs can grow up to 6 cm in diameter, while the leaves can also be consumed raw or cooked, commonly diced and added to salads. In some regions, garlic is cultivated for its milder-flavored leaves in mild winters. Additionally, the flower stalks serve as a seasoning and are occasionally available in Chinese stores, with germinated seeds being a potential salad ingredient.

Medicinal: Onion sap has historically served as a natural way to reduce appetite. Onions, known for their health benefits, are rich in sulfur compounds that contribute to their distinct taste. Eating onions regularly may aid in reducing cholesterol levels, improving digestion, and promoting heart health.

Other uses: Onion juice serves as a natural insect repellent due to its potent smell, deterring insects from biting. It can also soothe insect bites when applied topically. For an insecticide solution, mix minced garlic and grated soap in boiling water, then cool the mixture. This decoction effectively controls insects upon application. Additionally, onion juice doubles as an adhesive for glasswork, facilitating precise cutting. It can also mend glass and porcelain surfaces. Extracts from the plant act as a fungicide, combating rot and fungal diseases in tomatoes and potatoes. Placing garlic cloves near stored fruit helps delay spoilage.

Growing

Thrives in most soils, but prefers a sunny location in moist, well-drained soil. Tolerates a pH range of 4.5 to 8.3, but dislikes very acidic soils. The bulb may rot if grown in moist soil. Hardy to at least -10°C. Bulbs should be planted fairly deep. Garlic has a long history as a food and medicine. It was given to Egyptian workers during the construction of the pyramids because it was believed to provide strength and protect against disease. Cultivated worldwide for its edible bulb, primarily used as a spice in food, garlic has several named varieties. Bulb formation responds to increasing day length and temperature, influenced by the storage temperature of cloves before planting. Thrives alongside most plants, particularly roses, carrots, beets, and chamomile, but inhibits legume growth. It is not a suitable companion for alfalfa, as the two species have a negative impact on each other. Members of this genus are rarely targeted by deer.

Propagation

Plant garlic cloves in late fall for an early summer harvest. Alternatively, they can be planted in late winter or spring, although yields may be less good. Plant the cloves with the tips just below the soil surface. If the bulbs remain in the ground year-round, they often produce tender young leaves in winter.

Notable

Special features: inhibits legume growth; decomposes in moist soil; extended storage diminishes antibacterial properties and enhances odor; optimal preservation in olive oil or cool, dry conditions; unsuitable for individuals with low blood pressure, fever, pancreatic, or kidney ailments; more cold-resistant: A. tuberosum.

Origin & habitat

Central Asia? The original habitat is uncertain. Sometimes seen as a plant that has escaped into gardens.

In moist, frequently shaded locations such as meadows and forests, particularly in close proximity to streams and rivers.

Related plants