A bumper garlic crop next year? Get your garden bed ready now

Planting garlic in the fall is a classic tradition. We definitely can’t forget about it. But we still have plenty of time right now. In fact, the ideal time to plant garlic is just before the first frosts. Traditionally, it’s planted in November, but in many areas, it can easily be planted as late as early December. Either way, it’s definitely worth preparing the garlic bed now. We’ll focus on several key aspects that will help ensure a perfect harvest next year.

The right location as the foundation for success

Garlic needs several very important things for proper growth. So let’s take a closer look at them.

Photo: Radek Stepan

Plenty of Sunlight

Garlic thrives in spots that get plenty of sunlight. You should choose a spot that gets at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Garlic wouldn’t do very well in a shady spot.

Adequate drainage of the garden bed

Another very important aspect. Garlic really doesn’t like too much water, so the chosen spot should have adequate drainage. Planting garlic is not recommended in low-lying areas prone to waterlogging.

Proper crop rotation

You shouldn’t plant garlic in the same spot where you grew it last year. For one thing, the soil becomes depleted, and for another, there’s a risk of various diseases. Not sure which crops to plant before garlic? Peppers, cabbage, tomatoes, and cucumbers are ideal, for example.

Tip: Planting garlic three weeks before the first frost pays off. We have more tips as well.

How do you prepare the soil specifically for garlic?

First and foremost, you must remove all weeds from the garden bed. Any plant debris that could deprive the garlic of essential nutrients must be cleared away. It’s also a good idea to measure the soil’s pH. It should be around 6.5. It’s also a good idea to work compost into the soil. Organic fertilization benefits garlic. No other fertilizer may be necessary. If you absolutely must fertilize, mix 25 grams of potassium sulfate, 30 grams of superphosphate, and 5 kilograms of high-quality compost.

Sources: Author, Meta, https://zahradkarskaporadna.cz/clanek-296228-nejvyssi-cas-zasadit-cesnek-jak-to-udelat-aby-uroda-byla-bohata

Featured image: Pixabay