DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF GARLIC
The enchanting realm of garlic farming possess it as a gratifying and flavorful farming experience. Whether you’re a seasoned farmer looking to diversify your crop or an aspiring green thumb seeking to cultivate a connection with the land, the earthy aroma of this noble bulb intertwines with the art of agriculture.
Before you sink your hands into the soil, one needs to know the steps towards a bountiful harvest. The first step is identifying the right variety of garlic suitable for farming region. There are two main types of garlic: hardneck and softneck. Each type offers distinct characteristics and is better suited to specific growing conditions.
Hardneck Garlic
Hardneck garlic is known for its hard, woody central stalk or “neck,” from which the garlic scapes, or flower stems, emerge during the growing season. This type of garlic is favored by many farmers and garlic enthusiasts for its rich, complex flavors, larger cloves, and ease of peeling.
Hardneck garlic produces a tall and sturdy central stem, which gives it its name. As the plant matures, it sends up curled, coiling scapes from the center of the stalk. These scapes are delicious and edible, with a milder garlic taste, making them a sought-after delicacy in the culinary world.
To plant hardneck garlic, separate the cloves from the bulb and plant them individually, pointed end up, about 2-4 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart in well-draining, fertile soil. Cover the cloves with soil, water thoroughly, and apply a layer of mulch to protect them.
Compared to softneck garlic, hardneck garlic tends to have a shorter storage life about 3-4 months. The bulbs will keep well for a few months, but they might not last as long as softneck garlic, which has tighter wrappers around the cloves.
Softneck Garlic
Softneck garlic is widely cultivated and accounts for a significant portion of the garlic found in grocery stores and markets. It differs from hardneck garlic in several key characteristics and is often the preferred choice for commercial growers due to its long storage life and versatility. Softneck garlic does not produce a central woody stem or scapes like hardneck garlic. Instead, the leaves grow directly from the bulb, making it easier to braid the stems together, a common practice used to create decorative garlic braids.
It is commonly used in the production of garlic powder and other processed garlic products.
Softneck garlic is generally easier to grow than hardneck garlic, to plant softneck garlic, separate the cloves from the bulb and plant them individually, pointed end up, about 1-2 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart in well-draining soil. Softneck garlic can tolerate a wide range of climates but prefers milder conditions
Elephant Garlic
Elephant garlic is an odd little plant. Although it looks like a giant garlic bulb and has a mild garlic flavor, it is more closely related to leeks than to garlic.
Elephant garlic will send up scapes, just like regular garlic. These scapes draw energy from the plant that should be going toward bulking up the bulb
The bulb of elephant garlic has a pale white to light purple outer skin, with large, elongated cloves inside. The leaves are broad and flat, resembling those of leeks. Each bulb typically contains a small number of very large cloves, usually four to six in number. The scapes are cut before they bloom and are edible, so they don’t have to go to waste. Likewise, it’s important to keep weeds under control around elephant garlic plants, as they will compete with the elephant garlic for space and nutrients.
To plant an elephant garlic bulb, first, divide it into cloves. Plant each clove with its pointed end up around 4 to 6 inches deep, spacing the cloves roughly 8 to 12 inches apart to allow some air flow in between the plants
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