There is no such thing as a little garlic.
Hello, again!
From adding a rich, savory base to soups and sauces to supporting heart health, garlic has been prized for centuries. Garlic (Allium sativum) contains allicin, a natural compound that gives it both its pungent aroma and many of its healthful properties. Studies suggest garlic can help lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, and support immune function. Garlic is one of the easiest, most rewarding crops to grow in Kansas. Once I found the magic of garlic in cooking, I’ve found myself using garlic like I do green chile - in almost everything!
Just like with our spring flowering bulbs, fall is the best time to plant garlic in Kansas. Fall planting gives bulbs time to establish roots before winter dormancy, leading to larger bulbs at harvest. There are two main types of garlic, and both perform well in Kansas when planted in the fall:
Hardneck Garlic - Best suited for colder climates, hardneck varieties produce a flower stalk, or “scape” that can be harvested and eaten in early summer. These have a rich, complex flavor and are easy to peel.
Softneck Garlic - The type most commonly found in grocery stores, softneck varieties store exceptionally well and thrive in milder winters.
To plant, choose a sunny, well-drained area with loose, fertile soil. Before planting, prepare your bed with Johnson’s Soil Recipe. Separate the cloves from the bulb, keeping the papery skins intact. Plant each clove about 2" deep and 4"-6" apart, pointed side up. Cover with soil and add a light mulch of straw or shredded leaves to insulate against temperature swings.
Last year I procrastinated and didn’t get my garlic planted until mid-December, and they did fine! This year I didn’t delay and got them planted just before the recent rainfall.
In spring, as growth resumes, remove the mulch and apply ferti-lome Gardener's Special to keep the plants growing strong. Keep the bed evenly moist, but not soggy. Garlic is ready to harvest in June or early July when the lower leaves begin to yellow. Carefully lift the bulbs, brush off excess soil, and cure them in a warm, dry spot for two to three weeks before trimming and storing.
Stop by for our many locally adapted garlic varieties and our soil recipe for an easy way to get your garlic crop off to a great start this fall. As you are doing your holiday shopping, check out Orie’s Farm Fresh for all things garlic, including everything from locally grown garlic to a wide variety of herb medleys and salt blends containing their own garlic.
Garlic is one of the easiest crops to grow and one of the most satisfying to harvest. With just a little fall planting effort, you’ll enjoy flavorful bulbs next summer that can keep for months in storage.
Your friend in the garden,
Marty Johnson
Owner - Johnson's Garden Centers
P.S. - The stores have been hard at work transforming into our seasonal Christmas Shops. It's looking magical here! We're ready to help you prepare for the holidays, starting tomorrow with our annual Christmas Open House.
