If you want to grow garlic in Florida, you need a versatile plant.Florida's warm weather with few frosts is where garlic thrives.Some precautions can help your garlic thrive.The right garlic variety and growing techniques can produce a big harvest in Florida.
Step 1: Choose a softneck garlic variety.
Hardneck garlic is more involved in care than soft neck garlic.When growing garlic in Florida, buy softneck garlic.Thermadrone, lorz Italian, Georgian Crystal, Creole, and Romanian Red garlic plants grow well in Florida.Most plant nurseries sell softneck garlic heads.Each garlic plant will produce a single head if you buy 1 clove for every plant.
Step 2: The best time to grow garlic is in the fall and early winter.
Garlic can be planted in November or December because of the warm climate.You can expect a harvest around May or June if you plant garlic during this time.When garlic plants are planted in the fall, they will grow in spring.It won't have top growth until around February.For a late summer or autumn harvest, you can plant garlic in February or March.When garlic is planted in the fall, it produces full harvests.The garlic needs to be chilled for 10 to 12 weeks before planting.The softer varieties of garlic are better suited to warm climates.
Step 3: You can grow garlic in a partially shaded area.
Garlic plants grow best in cooler soil temperatures.During the hottest part of the day, find a spot in your garden with shade.Shade can be used to chill the soil so garlic can grow in hotter temperatures.Put shade cloth over the garlic to protect it from the sun if you can't find a spot with natural shade.Shade cloth can be purchased online or at most plant nurseries.
Step 4: The garlic should be planted in well-draining soil with lots of organic matter.
A strong garlic harvest can be achieved if the soil is well drained.Before planting cloves in your garden, you should combine a nitrogen-rich soil mix or compost with the garden's soil.If you want to know if your soil is well-draining, dig a deep hole in your garden and fill it with water.Well-draining soil can be found if the hole takes 15 minutes to empty.Adding mulch, a well-draining soil mix, or organic matter to the soil will help it drain better.Before planting garlic, spread organic matter over the garden soil and mix it together thoroughly.
Step 5: A garlic clove can be planted in the soil with the roots facing downward.
The best way to grow garlic is by planting a single clove in the ground at a depth of 4–6 inches.Sprinkle the soil with water after filling the hole.If you're planting multiple garlic cloves, place them about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) apart.
Step 6: After planting garlic, cover it with mulch.
The soil surrounding your garlic needs to be covered with seedless straw.This will keep the soil cool, give your plants extra nutrition, and prevent weeds from growing as your garlic grows.If your soil is wet or humid, don't add mulch.The bulbs will rot if the soil is too moist.
Step 7: It's a good idea to water your garlic plants once a week.
It takes about 2.5 cm of water a week to grow garlic.It is a good idea to check your garlic plant's soil several times a week during the summer months.Water the soil until it is damp but not waterlogged if you stick your finger in it.
Step 8: Two times a month, spray a liquidfertilizer on your plant.
A strong garlic harvest requires lots of nitrogen.When garlic shoots emerge to harvest, give your plants a fish emulsionfertilizer every other week or if your plant develops yellow leaves, a sign of nitrogen deficiency.There are many garden centers and nurseries where you can buy fish emulsion.Another nitrogen-richfertilizer is an alternative if you can't find one for fish.
Step 9: For full bulbs, cut back your plants' "scape".
There is a large blossom on the top of garlic plants.The scape should be removed when it grows large enough to grow healthy bulbs.To keep it from going to waste, cook it with the scape.scape recipes can be found online, from using scape in stir-fry to making a salad.The scape is an alternative to green onions.
Step 10: The garlic area should be weeded at least once a week.
Your plant's yield can be reduced by over half by excessive weeds.Pull weeds before they get out of hand to prevent garlic from being taken by weeds.
Step 11: Wait until your garlic's leaves have dried.
In the South, garlic should take between 6 and 8 months to mature.Half of your garlic's leaves should be dry by the time you reach about 6 months after planting.You can harvest garlic in May, June, or July if you planted it in the late fall or early winter.You need to wait until August, September, or October if you planted in the spring.
Step 12: Remove the garlic from the ground.
Remove any loose soil from the roots and trim them with shears until they're about 6 inches (15 cm) long.It's important to trim the roots after pulling in humid climates to prevent the bulb from rotting.During the harvesting process, leave the stalks attached.
Step 13: It's best to cure your garlic in a dry place for 3-6 weeks.
Spread garlic out on a rack in a dark place or hang it by the stalks on the ceiling.Prepare them for storage by leaving them hanging for 3-6 weeks.The best place to cure garlic is a garage or garden shed.If you want to prevent bulb rot, place a rotating fan near the garlic bulbs.
Step 14: The garlic bulbs should be stored in a dry place.
Place the garlic bulbs in a drawer or on the counter after you've dried them.When stored at room temperature, whole garlic lasts 3-6 months.Don't put garlic in a container that is too cold.It can get trapped inside and cause the garlic bulbs to rot.