Garlic Purple
Botanical name - Allium sativum
Garlic is a valuable and tasty source of Vitamins A, B1, B2 & C. It is a useful medicinal food, with proven anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Garlic is also a wonderful companion plant for roses and fruit trees as it will repel pests such as aphids and white fly. Used widely in cooking.
Position - Grows best in full sun to semi shade.
Climate - Suitable in all climates.
Planting time - Autumn (warmer climates), Winter (cool climates)
Soil - Well drained friable soil is essential. If soil is too heavy, bulbs will be poorly shaped.
Watering - Rely on occasional summer/autumn watering or natural heavy rainfall to initiate flowering.
Harvest time - Summer.
Fertilising - Dig compost or well-aged manure into the soil prior to planting. Apply a fertiliser such as Blood and Bone or Dynamic Lifter at planting and again after flowering.
Growing Tips- Break garlic bulb into cloves. Plant cloves with the pointy end up. The tops of the cloves should be just below the soil surface. Harvest once the tops are mainly brown. Young shoots can be eaten or used as a garnish. Ease bulbs out of the soil gently with a fork, taking care not to bruise the bulbs. Let bulbs dry out to prevent rotting and store whole in a cool dry place. Plaiting the leaves and hanging them up is a traditional way of drying and storing garlic. Garlic can be used to make a natural garden pest repellent by mixing finely chopped garlic with grated soap and water. Strain and spray in a hand sprayer.
(Available to purchase in Bunnings from February to May, or until sold out)
