How to Grow Garlic in Missouri: A Comprehensive Guide
Growing garlic successfully in Missouri involves planting in the fall for harvest the following summer, selecting hardneck varieties best suited for Missouri’s climate, and ensuring well-drained soil and adequate sunlight.
Introduction: Garlic, A Missouri Staple
Garlic, Allium sativum, is a culinary cornerstone around the world, and its robust flavor makes it a welcome addition to any Missouri kitchen. While many gardeners rely on purchasing garlic from the store, growing your own offers several advantages, including superior flavor, control over growing practices (avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilizers), and the satisfaction of harvesting a crop you nurtured yourself. Missouri’s climate, with its cold winters and warm summers, presents a unique set of challenges for garlic cultivation, but with the right knowledge and techniques, you can enjoy a bountiful garlic harvest year after year.
Why Grow Garlic in Missouri? Benefits Abound
Besides its culinary appeal, growing garlic offers a variety of benefits:
- Superior Flavor: Homegrown garlic often has a more intense and nuanced flavor than store-bought varieties, especially when consumed fresh.
- Nutritional Value: Garlic is packed with nutrients, including vitamins B6 and C, manganese, and selenium. It’s also known for its potential health benefits, such as boosting the immune system and lowering cholesterol.
- Pest Repellent: Garlic acts as a natural pest repellent in the garden, deterring aphids, Japanese beetles, and other unwanted visitors.
- Beautiful Scapes: Hardneck garlic produces flavorful scapes (flower stalks) in the spring, which can be used in stir-fries, pesto, and other culinary creations.
- Storage: Properly cured garlic can be stored for several months, providing a supply of fresh, flavorful garlic throughout the winter.
Choosing the Right Garlic: Hardneck vs. Softneck
The first step in growing garlic in Missouri is selecting the right type. There are two main types of garlic: hardneck and softneck.
- Hardneck Garlic: Hardneck varieties are generally more cold-hardy and better suited to Missouri’s climate. They produce a flower stalk (scape) and typically have a more intense flavor than softneck varieties. Popular hardneck varieties for Missouri include:
- German Extra Hardy
- Music
- Rocambole
- Spanish Roja
- Softneck Garlic: Softneck varieties are less cold-hardy and more common in warmer climates. They don’t produce a scape and are better suited for braiding. While some softneck varieties may survive in Missouri, they are generally not recommended for novice growers.
Table: Hardneck vs. Softneck Garlic
| Feature | Hardneck Garlic | Softneck Garlic |
|---|---|---|
| Cold Hardiness | More cold-hardy | Less cold-hardy |
| Scape Production | Produces a scape | Does not produce a scape |
| Flavor | More intense | Milder |
| Braiding | Not suitable | Suitable |
| Storage | Shorter storage life | Longer storage life |
Planting Garlic: Timing is Key
Planting garlic in the fall is crucial for successful cultivation in Missouri. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Timing: Plant garlic in late September to early November, approximately 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes. This allows the cloves to establish roots before winter sets in.
- Soil Preparation: Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter to improve fertility and drainage. Garlic prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH (6.0-7.0).
- Cloves Selection: Select large, healthy cloves from your chosen garlic variety. Separate the cloves from the bulb just before planting, being careful not to damage them.
- Planting: Plant the cloves 4-6 inches deep and 6-8 inches apart, with the pointed end facing up. Space rows 12-18 inches apart.
- Mulching: Apply a thick layer of mulch (straw, leaves, or wood chips) to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the cloves from extreme temperature fluctuations during the winter.
- Watering: Water thoroughly after planting.
Caring for Your Garlic: From Fall to Harvest
- Watering: Water regularly during the growing season, especially during dry periods. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to bulb rot.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize in the spring with a balanced fertilizer or compost tea. Garlic needs nitrogen for leaf growth and phosphorus and potassium for bulb development.
- Weed Control: Keep the area around your garlic plants free of weeds, which compete for nutrients and water.
- Scape Removal: If you are growing hardneck garlic, remove the scapes when they begin to curl. This will encourage the plant to put more energy into bulb development. You can use the scapes in cooking.
- Pest and Disease Control: Monitor your garlic plants for pests and diseases. Common problems include onion maggots, garlic mites, and fungal diseases. Use organic pest control methods whenever possible.
Harvesting and Curing: The Final Steps
- Harvesting: Harvest garlic in mid-summer, typically in July or August, when the lower leaves begin to turn yellow or brown.
- Digging: Gently dig up the bulbs with a garden fork, being careful not to bruise them.
- Cleaning: Brush off any excess soil.
- Curing: Cure the garlic in a well-ventilated, dry place for 2-3 weeks. Hang the bulbs in bunches or spread them out on screens.
- Storage: Once cured, store the garlic in a cool, dry, dark place. Properly cured garlic can be stored for several months.
Common Mistakes: Avoiding Pitfalls
- Planting the wrong type of garlic: Choosing a softneck variety when a hardneck variety is better suited for Missouri’s climate.
- Planting too late: Planting after the ground freezes, preventing the cloves from establishing roots.
- Planting too shallow: Planting the cloves too close to the surface, making them vulnerable to frost damage.
- Overwatering: Overwatering, especially during the curing process, can lead to bulb rot.
- Not removing scapes: Failing to remove scapes from hardneck varieties, which can reduce bulb size.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best soil type for growing garlic in Missouri?
Garlic thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Amend heavy clay soils with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage. Sandy soils benefit from the addition of organic matter to help retain moisture and nutrients.
How much sunlight does garlic need?
Garlic requires at least 6 hours of sunlight per day to produce large, healthy bulbs. Choose a sunny location in your garden for best results.
Can I grow garlic in containers?
Yes, you can grow garlic in containers, but you’ll need to use a large container (at least 12 inches in diameter) and ensure that the soil is well-draining. Container-grown garlic may require more frequent watering and fertilization than garlic grown in the ground.
How often should I water garlic?
Water garlic regularly during the growing season, especially during dry periods. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to bulb rot.
What kind of fertilizer should I use for garlic?
Fertilize garlic in the spring with a balanced fertilizer or compost tea. Look for a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content to promote leaf growth and phosphorus and potassium for bulb development.
How do I know when to harvest my garlic?
Harvest garlic when the lower leaves begin to turn yellow or brown, typically in mid-summer (July or August). Check a few bulbs to see if they are well-formed.
How do I cure garlic?
Cure garlic in a well-ventilated, dry place for 2-3 weeks. Hang the bulbs in bunches or spread them out on screens. Avoid direct sunlight and high humidity.
How do I store garlic?
Once cured, store garlic in a cool, dry, dark place. Braided garlic can be hung in a pantry or cellar. Individual bulbs can be stored in a mesh bag or paper bag.
What are scapes, and what do I do with them?
Scapes are the flower stalks that grow from hardneck garlic. Remove them when they begin to curl to encourage bulb development. Scapes are edible and can be used in stir-fries, pesto, and other culinary creations.
What are some common pests and diseases that affect garlic?
Common pests and diseases include onion maggots, garlic mites, and fungal diseases. Use organic pest control methods whenever possible.
Can I plant garlic in the spring?
While it is generally better to plant garlic in the fall in Missouri, planting in early spring is possible. The garlic may not produce as large of bulbs, but it can still be worth trying if you missed the fall planting window.
How do I save garlic cloves to plant the next year?
Select the largest and healthiest bulbs from your harvest and store them in a cool, dry, dark place. Just before planting in the fall, separate the cloves from the bulb, being careful not to damage them. Plant the cloves as described above.