By Albert Makendenge
The increased relevance of garlic during the Covi-19 pandemic surely would have left quite a number of people wishing they had a portion of it in their own background. Just in case the need for it comes back around for one reason or the other, here is how to grow ginger.
Soil requirements
Well drained, fertile soils with a pH that ranges from neutral to slightly acidic are the best.
Climatic requirements
Garlic thrives well under fairly cool to warm temperature conditions.
Planting
Garlic does best in full sun so a planting site that receives 6 to 8 hours of sunlight is ideal. Planting is usually done in the fall 6 to 8 weeks before the ground freezes or in the middle of summer after harvesting the first crop. Large, healthy cloves that are free of disease are planted about 20cm apart in rows, in rows about 30cm apart and about 5cm deep.
Fertilization
Fertilizers with more phosphorus are recommended so the most common and ideal one is the 5-10-10 fertilizer which is worked a few centimeters into the soil at or just before the time of planting.
Watering
Water every 3 to 5 days during bulbing and even more frequently if the temperatures are very high.
Pests, weeds and diseases
Garlic has very few problems with pests and diseases but the very same ones that bother onions should be scouted for. It is always a good idea to the field clean and weed-free.
Harvesting
Although this is not always the case, the clue to look for when the maturity time indicated lapses is yellowing foliage. One should not pull or yank stems by hand but rather carefully dig up the bulbs using a garden fork.