Origin
Allium sativum, commonly called garlic, is a perennial plant of the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae), grown for its flavourful bulbs. The plant is indigenous to central Asia but grows wildly in Italy and southern France. It is used as an ingredient in many national dishes.
The plant height is about 2 feet (60 cm). The aroma from the bulb is powerful like that of onions, and they are not usually eaten raw. A membranous skin covers the bulb, and about 20 edible bulblets called cloves make up the bulb.
The spherical flower is initially covered in a pair of papery bracts; when the green-white or pinkish flowers bloom, the bracts open into two. Flower stalks sometimes arise bearing tiny bulbils (tiny secondary bulbs that form in place of flowers) and sterile blossoms.
Garlic is usually grown as an annual crop and is propagated by planting cloves or top bulbils, though seeds can also be used; planting cloves is the most preferred way to plant garlic.
Nutrient Composition
Garlic is a plant in the onion family cultivated for its numerous health benefits and distinctive taste. The sulfur compounds in garlic give some health benefits. Garlic is low in calories and rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, and manganese.
Here is a listing of the nutritional fact of 100-gram garlic:
- Calories 149
- Total Fat 0.5g
- Total Carbohydrate 33g
- Dietary Fiber 2.1g
- Sugar 1g
- Protein 6.4g
Preferred Botanical Name: Allium Sativum
Preferred Common Name: Garlic
Medicinal Properties And Uses Of Garlic
Garlic has been proven to have many medicinal properties. Below are some ways it can be used:
- Taking garlic improves blood pressure.
- The supplement also works for people with high cholesterol and reduces total and LDL cholesterol.
- Their supplements reduce symptoms of common illnesses like flu and cold.
- The antioxidants in garlic may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and protect against cell damage and ageing.
- Improves physical performance in people with heart disease.
- They appear to benefit bone health by increasing estrogen levels in females.
- Garlic is easy to add to your diet. You can use it in savory dishes, soups, sauces, dressings, etc.
How To Grow Garlic
Yield Information Of Garlic
when grown under favorable conditions will mature in nine months. Each set (bulb) of garlic comprises several sections called cloves, held together by a thin, papery covering. A single stand of garlic produces one set. This set can contain ten to twenty garlic cloves under appropriate growing conditions.
Nursery And Transplant Requirements Of Garlic
A raised bed is the most suitable for garlic. After clearing the bed, mix the soil with compost or well-rotted manure. For the garlic to form a bulb, most types take 40 days at 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Garlic begins to germinate and is ready for transplanting about two weeks from planting.
Transplant them carefully from the nursery to the open field. Plant garlic in soil with good drainage and where there is full sunlight. Plant garlic in a spot not recently used for garlic or other plants from the onion family.
Ensure that you do not plant them in waterlogged areas which can cause root rot or disease occurrence.
Soil And Sun Requirements Of Garlic
They requires fertile, loose, and well-drained soil with soil pH between 6.0 to 7.0. Your garden of choice should be well-drained and receives 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Select an area that did not have onions or other alliums growing that year. Do not plant garlic on clay soil; they lead to poor bulb development.
Nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium must be present in the soil. Nitrogen is needed for early growth, phosphorus is for optimal root development, and potassium is vital for healthy bulb formation and leaf growth.
Watering Requirements Of Garlic
Garlic requires moist soil to grow though it does not have to be soaked in water. Garlic needs about 16 inches of water during the growing season or ½-inch-to-1-inch weekly. Water requirements depend on weather conditions, like warm weather will require more while cold weather will require less.
Overwatering will cause bacteria infestation, and underwatering will cause the plant to dry out and eventually die off. Ensure that there is sufficient water for the plant and a good irrigation system to avoid soil soaking during rainfall seasons.
Planting And Spacing Requirements Of Garlic
Separate cloves and space them 4-6″ apart. Rows should be spaced one foot apart. Plant the cloves with the pointed end up and the blunt end down. Push each clove 1-2″ into the ground, firm the soil around it, and water the bed if it is dry. Plant cloves in a sunny location with rich, well-drained soil.
Put down 6″ of mulch for protection.
Harvesting Method
Once the plant leaves have turned brown, you can begin to harvest the bulbs. Dig the bulbs up and be careful not to injure them. Harvest matured garlic on time because the bulbs may separate and not store well. In a shady area with good air circulation, lay the plant to dry for 2 or 3 weeks.
Be sure to bring the plants in if rain is forecasted for your area. When the roots feel brittle and dry, rub them off with any loose dirt. Do not get the bulbs wet or break them apart, or the plants won’t last as long. Harvest them before all the leaves turn brown.
When the lower two-thirds of the leaves have dried up and turned brown, the garlic bulbs will be at their best. Either tie the garlic in bunches, braid the leaves, or cut the stem slightly above the bulb.
Storage of Garlic/Garlic Cloves
Garlic cloves are best preserved in a cool, dry, and dark place or frozen or preserved in oil. If they are directly stored in the refrigerator, they will deteriorate quickly and grow mold. However, you can blend them and store them in an airtight container in the fridge.
The cloves are not friends with light and moisture as they cause mold growth. Instead, store at room temperature in a dry, dark place with plenty of air circulation, like in a wire-mesh basket or open paper bag in a cupboard or pantry.
They can last for a year or less, depending on your storage method. A bulb of garlic that is well stored can last up to three to five months in the pantry. The quality of a broken bulb reduces faster than that of a whole bulb.
Diseases And Pests Of Garlic
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Downy mildew
Fungi cause this and its symptoms include pale spots or elongated patches on leaves, leaves turning pale then yellow, leaf tips collapsing. Manage downy mildew by avoiding infected sets, applying crop rotation, plant in well-drained areas.
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Purple blotch
Small water-soaked lesions on leaves or stalks with a white center, large lesions may coalesce and girdle leaf, infected foliage may die. Fungi cause it, and you can manage it by using long crop rotation and reduction of leaf wetness by planting in well-drained soil.
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Mosaic
A virus causes mosaic, and its symptoms include mosaic patterns on leaves, chlorotic mottling or streaks on leaves, stunted plant growth, and reduced bulb size. You can control mosaic by planting virus-free varieties.
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Mites
This is an arachnid. Its symptoms are stunted plant growth and bulbs rotting in-ground or in storage. Cultural methods include avoiding planting crops of onion or garlic in the same location and allowing the field to fallow to ensure that all residual organic matter decomposes completely.
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Leaf miners
This is an insect that affects the plant. It causes white blotches on leaves, leaves dropping from the plant prematurely, and an early infestation can cause the yield to reduce. It is controlled by checking transplants for leaf miners signs, removing the plant from the soil immediately after harvest, and using natural enemies of leaf miners
Conclusion
Their distinct and bold taste makes it a highly sought-after ingredient, but its exceptional qualities extend far beyond the culinary realm. Packed with allicin, a powerful compound known for its antimicrobial effects, garlic plays a key role in boosting the immune system and shielding against common maladies like colds and infections. Furthermore, its abundance of antioxidants works to combat oxidative stress, guarding against the development of chronic illnesses. Scientific studies have also shown promising associations between garlic consumption and promoting heart health.
Not only do they have the potential to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, but its anti-inflammatory properties also offer additional benefits for overall health. However, its advantages go beyond just physical well-being. Thanks to its unique flavor, garlic adds a special touch to dishes, elevating the culinary experience. Making an effort to incorporate garlic into your meals not only supports your wellness goals but also enhances the deliciousness and aroma of your food.