Garlic Growing Guide for Central Texas
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Garlic is a low-maintenance crop that thrives in Central Texas during the cooler months, offering a flavorful addition to your kitchen.
Choosing the Right Garlic Varieties
- Softneck Garlic: California Early, Silverskin (great for braiding and long-term storage)
- Hardneck Garlic: German White, Chesnok Red (ideal for colder winters but still grows well in Texas)
When to Plant Garlic
- Cloves: Plant in late October to early December for a spring harvest.
How to Plant Garlic
- Soil Preparation: Use loose, well-draining soil enriched with compost. A pH of 6.0-7.0 is ideal.
- Planting Depth: Plant cloves 2 inches deep, with the pointed side up.
- Spacing: Space cloves 4-6 inches apart, with rows 12 inches apart.
Caring for Your Garlic Plants
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Reduce watering as the bulbs mature.
- Fertilizing: Use a balanced fertilizer at planting and a nitrogen-rich fertilizer during the early growth phase.
- Mulching: Apply a thick layer of mulch to insulate the soil and suppress weeds.
Pests and Diseases
- Common Pests: Onion thrips and nematodes. Use neem oil and rotate crops to prevent infestations.
- Diseases: White rot and downy mildew. Avoid overwatering and plant in well-drained soil.
Harvesting Garlic
- Harvest when the lower leaves turn brown but the upper leaves remain green.
- Cure bulbs in a warm, dry place for 2-3 weeks before storing.