Garlic is a kitchen essential that’s easy to grow at home, saving you trips to the store while giving you fresh, flavorful cloves year-round. With these 9 clever hacks, you’ll never need to buy garlic again!
1. Start with Store-Bought Garlic
- Choose fresh, organic garlic bulbs from the store.
- Avoid chemically treated garlic, as it may not sprout properly.
2. Grow Garlic Indoors in Containers
- Use a pot with good drainage and fill it with nutrient-rich soil.
- Plant cloves pointy side up, about 2 inches deep.
- Place in a sunny spot and water sparingly.
3. Regrow Garlic from Cloves
- Break a bulb into individual cloves.
- Plant each clove in soil, ensuring the pointed end faces up.
- Within weeks, green shoots will emerge, and the cloves will grow into full bulbs.
4. Grow Garlic in Water
- Place cloves in a small jar with the root end submerged in water.
- Change the water every few days to prevent rot.
- Use the green garlic shoots for cooking or plant the sprouted cloves in soil.
5. Use Garlic Scapes
- Harvest garlic scapes (the curly green shoots) before they flower.
- These flavorful greens are edible and prevent the plant from diverting energy from bulb development.
6. Grow Garlic Year-Round
- Plant garlic in fall for a summer harvest, or grow indoors in containers for continuous supply.
- Mulch outdoor garlic beds in winter to protect from frost.
7. Fertilize for Bigger Bulbs
- Use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer during early growth stages.
- Switch to a potassium-rich fertilizer as bulbs begin to form.
8. Save Garlic Bulbs for Replanting
- After harvesting, save the largest, healthiest bulbs for the next planting season.
- This ensures strong plants and bigger yields over time.
9. Companion Planting for Pest Control
- Grow garlic alongside vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, or spinach.
- Garlic naturally repels pests like aphids and beetles, protecting neighboring plants.
Bonus Tips for Success
- Sunlight: Garlic needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Soil: Use loose, well-draining soil enriched with compost for best results.
- Watering: Keep soil moist but not waterlogged, especially during early growth stages.
Conclusion
With these 9 garlic-growing hacks, you’ll never have to buy garlic again! Whether indoors in containers or outdoors in garden beds, garlic is simple to grow and endlessly useful. Start planting today and enjoy a continuous supply of fresh, homegrown garlic.