Grow Garlic In Florida
Garlic is a plant that most gardeners agree requires little work. It grows relatively well in any climate, and it is self perpetuating, which means you can use the crop from a current year to plant the following year's bounty. Most people grow garlic to eat, and it is also used in gardens to repel aphids and beetles. Growing anything in Florida requires special attention because of the heat and the sandy soil. However, the climate is an advantage with garlic and means an earlier harvest and year-round crops. Grow garlic in Florida by planting it any time from October to February in rich soil and harvesting it throughout the spring and summer.
Contents
Steps
Preparing the Soil
- Grow your garlic outdoors. The soil does not have to be perfect, because garlic will take whatever it needs from the soil you provide. However, outdoor rather than greenhouse planting produces a richer head of garlic.
- Examine your soil to determine whether you should grow the garlic in flat beds or raised beds.
- Use flat beds if you have sandy soil that does not hold water well. This is typical in coastal areas of Florida. Flat beds are planted on the natural ground.
- Plant garlic in raised beds if you reside in regions of Florida that are inland, and your soil is rich and moist. The raised beds will help reduce fungal infections that might occur after heavy rain because the water drains more easily. Raised beds are built up and lifted off the natural ground.
- Grow garlic in planters or containers if you prefer. This is possible only in warmer climates such as Florida. In northern climates, garlic would freeze in the pots.
- Fill a planter with potting soil to prepare the garlic bulbs. The best soil for garlic has a pH of 6.5 or 7. The pH level reflects the number of hydrogen ions in the soil. It classifies soil as acidic or alkaline.
- Loosen the soil using a small rake or a shovel. Add some compost if you have it available, to richen the soil.
Planting the Garlic in Florida
- Peel an entire head of garlic and break it apart into separate cloves.
- Place each clove 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.6 cm) deep in the soil, and about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) apart.
- Keep the pointy end of the garlic sticking up, with the roots facing down into the soil.
- Cover the garlic bulbs with soil. You can plant as many as you want, just make sure they are healthy. Larger garlic cloves will usually produce a larger head of garlic at harvest time.
- Cover the garlic with straw or leaves. This will act as natural mulch.
- Water only when the soil becomes very dry. Florida winters can be unpredictable. You might get enough rain, or you might have to water every couple of days.
- Leave the garlic to take root and grow through the winter and the early spring. The bulbs should be ready to pick by April.
Tips
- Consider specific varieties of garlic that do well in Florida, including Artichoke garlic, Creole garlic and Marbled Purple Striped garlic.
- Grow garlic in rotation with other crops. It is easily planted with herbs such as basil. You should also grow it in different places every year to keep the soil healthy.
Things You'll Need
- Soil
- Garlic bulbs
- Rake or shovel
- Straw
- Water
