Soaking garlic before planting. You can also do without a soaking solution

Fall garlic planting is slowly approaching. Most gardeners plant garlic about 14 days to a week before the first frosts. Soaking garlic can also play a very important role in its cultivation. It’s a process that not all of us follow, but in many cases, it’s certainly not a bad idea. Gardeners who have a high-quality harvest every year and whose bulbs aren’t infested with pests don’t bother with garlic soaking. But just to be safe, it’s definitely worth doing. So what should you use for soaking? Is a traditional soaking solution always necessary? Often, plain table salt is enough.

You can make an inexpensive soaking solution from salt

No, expensive soaking solutions from supermarkets and garden centers aren’t necessary. Seemingly ordinary table salt should suffice. It’s inexpensive, widely available, and also contains the necessary preservatives and protective substances. Plus, preparing the solution isn’t complicated. Simply mix three liters of water with one tablespoon of salt. Soak the cloves intended for planting in this solution for a few minutes so they absorb some of the salt. This will protect them from potential threats such as pests and diseases.

Photo: Radek Stepan

Stimulating garlic growth and increasing yield

A salt bath can also stimulate garlic to produce higher yields. However, it is essential to dry the cloves thoroughly after soaking to ensure they do not retain excess moisture. Excess moisture increases the risk of mold growth on the garlic cloves. The size of the bulbs themselves should be much larger at harvest time than they would be without any pickling. Another major advantage of pickled garlic is its increased resistance to frost.

Tip: How to store garlic. Good method.

A few tips for planting garlic in the fall

Planting garlic definitely requires choosing the right cloves. They must not be damaged at all. We should plant them with the wider end facing down. Among other things, the planting depth is also important. It should be about 5 cm. The garlic must be hidden beneath the soil surface; it must not protrude. Also pay attention to the planting location. Garlic needs plenty of sunlight. If you mix compost and charcoal into the soil, you’ll definitely help the garlic grow. Don’t forget to water it thoroughly after planting.

Sources: Author, deccoria.pl, tojenapad.sk.

Preview photo by Radek Štěpán