✅ Planting Method:
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Separate cloves and plant them pointed side up.
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Depth: 2–5 cm deep (deeper in sandy soils, shallower in clay).
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Spacing: 10–15 cm apart, rows 25–30 cm apart.
✅ Container Growing:
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Use deep pots (at least 20 cm deep) with good drainage.
3. Watering & Care
✅ Watering:
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Keep soil moist but not waterlogged.
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Reduce watering as bulbs mature (last 3–4 weeks before harvest).
✅ Fertilizing:
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At planting: Apply compost or aged manure for organic nutrients.
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During growth: Feed with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) every 3–4 weeks.
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Avoid excess nitrogen late in the season, as it promotes leaf growth instead of bulbs.
✅ Mulching:
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Apply a thin layer of mulch (straw, leaves, or grass clippings) to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
4. Growth Stages & Maintenance
✅ Leaf Growth (Autumn–Winter):
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Garlic produces strong green leaves before forming bulbs.
✅ Bulbing (Spring):
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Bulbs start forming as temperatures rise.
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Reduce watering at this stage.
✅ Harvesting (Late Spring–Early Summer):
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Ready to harvest when leaves turn yellow and dry out (October–December).
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Gently dig up bulbs and cure in a dry, shaded, well-ventilated area for 2–4 weeks.
5. Pests & Diseases
✅ Common Pests:
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Aphids & Thrips – Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap.
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Cutworms & Nematodes – Rotate crops to reduce soil pests.
✅ Disease Issues:
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White Rot (Fungal Rot): Avoid planting garlic in the same area every year.
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Rust & Downy Mildew: Ensure good airflow and avoid overhead watering.
7. Companion Planting
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Grows well with carrots, lettuce, beetroot, spinach, and tomatoes.
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Repels aphids, slugs, and snails.
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Avoid planting near peas and beans (stunts their growth).
8. Storage & Use
✅ Storage:
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Keep cured garlic in a cool, dry, dark place.
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Ideal temperature: 10–15°C.
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Avoid refrigeration, as it causes sprouting.
✅ Uses:
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Culinary (fresh or dried).
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Medicinal (antibacterial, antiviral).
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Natural pesticide (garlic spray for plants).
Conclusion
Garlic is an easy, rewarding crop for South African growers, needing cool winters, well-draining soil, and consistent care. With the right planting and harvesting techniques, you can enjoy flavorful, homegrown garlic every season! 🌿🧄
