HOW TO GROW GARLIC

Garlic is grown as a multipurpose crop in Zimbabwe. It is commonly used as a flavouring additive in

meaty relishes, sauces, soups and also as a medical remedy to treat flu, blood pressure. Garlic is not
very popular in open vegetable markets but can be found in most reputable supermarkets. This
guideline informs existing and potential growers of how best to grow garlic.
Cultivars
There are two types of garlic grown in Southern Africa, hard neck and soft neck. Hard neck varieties
(Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon) bolt during early summer producing a tall, flower stalk. Bulbils,
which are small aerial cloves, are produced at the tip of scapes in place of a true flower or scape.
There is considerable variability in the size and number of bulbils produced by hard neck garlic
varieties. Bulbils may be used as planting stock, but require 2 or more years of growth to develop
into marketable bulbs. Soft neck varieties (A. sativum var sativum) do not produce a scape. Hard
neck varieties are more winter-hardy, and produce larger cloves but have a shorter storage life than
soft neck varieties.
Climatic requirements
Garlic thrives well under fairly cool to warm temperature conditions. The most ideal growth
temperature for garlic is 13 to 24 °C. The plants are also influenced by day length but to a lesser
extent than temperature. Long days and high temperatures during the growing season encourage bulb
formation. Early cultivars are more likely to react to changes in temperature than late cultivars.
Garlic is one crop which requires relatively high levels of soil moisture throughout the growing
period but over watering must be avoided. Any periods of dry soil conditions, especially during
bulbing will result in yield reductions. In areas that have variable rainfall, it is advisable to irrigate
the crop.
Land preparation
Early land preparation should be done to avoid perennial weeds. Garlic is moderately tolerant of
acidity and will grow in pH ranges from 5.5 to 6.8, the upper end of this range being preferable.
Planting
The recommended planting period in Zimbabwe is late summer, between February and May. At this
time of the year, temperatures are not excessively high and soil moisture is still fairly high. Spacing
between rows will depend on the method of planting and available equipment for cultivation. Single
or multiple rows of plants are commonly used. However, the general recommendation for spacing is
8 to 15 cm between plants and 30 to 40 cm between rows. The cloves are planted to a depth of about
50 mm on raised beds or on the flat.
Fertilisation
Garlic has relatively low nitrogen requirements compared with many vegetable crops. However,
phosphorous and potassium are required in large quantities and, thus, should be generously applied.
For seedbeds, apply Windmill’s basal fertiliser Compound S (7:21:7 9S 0.04B) at the rate of 45
g/m2. After 2 to 3 weeks of emergence, apply Ammonium Nitrate (34.5% N) as top dressing at the
rate of 35 g/m2.
For lands, apply Windmill’s basal fertiliser of Compound C (5:15:12 11S.01B) fertiliser at the rate of
600 kg/ha. Apply Ammonium Nitrate (34.5% N) at the rate of 100 kg/ha after 4 to 6 weeks after
transplanting.
Irrigation
Garlic can be successfully grown using furrow, sprinkler, or drip irrigation. Garlic has a relatively
shallow root system and it is, therefore, sensitive to moisture stress throughout the growing season.
The quantity of water that should be applied depends on the weather and the soil conditions.
Furthermore, there will be increased water demand during hot, dry weather conditions. Where the
conditions like this prevail, mulching is recommended to reduce the rate of moisture loss from the
soil surface. The frequency and the rate of irrigation can also be determined by using the moisture
determining devices such as neutron probe around the field. The preferred time of irrigation is
morning to mid-afternoon, thus, allowing sufficient time for the plant foliage to dry before nightfall.
As garlic matures, irrigation should cease. This increases harvesting ease and reduces potential
deterioration and staining of exterior bulb sheath leaves.
Weed control
The following herbicides are recommended for weed control in garlic: Ronstar Flo and Oxyfluorfen
240 EC. These are recommended for pre-emergent control of broadleaf weeds and some annual
grasses.
Pest control
Below is a table of common pests and product remedies:
Pest problem - Product remedy
Cutworm Decis 2.5 EC, Thionex 50 WP, or Carbaryl 85 WP
Thrips Disyston 5G, Malathion 25 WP, or Thionex 50 WP
Disease control
Below is a list of common diseases in garlic and recommended product remedies:
Disease problem Product remedy
Alternaria (Purple blotch) Dithane M 45, or Orius 250 EW/Folicur
Downy mildew Dithane M 45, or Ridomil MZ 72 WP
White rot Quintozine 75 WP, or Allisan 50 WP
Sclerotinia Allisan 50 WP
Harvesting
Garlic is ready for harvesting when most of the foliage has turned brown. Timing the harvest
correctly is of critical importance. If bulbs are picked too early, they will not have achieved full size.
If left too late, they will be over-sized, split, and may become woody. “Wet” garlic (freshly
harvested, without being dried off) is something of a speciality product. It has a milder flavour than
dry garlic and can command a higher price if there is access to a discerning market.
Storage
Garlic which is not being sold “wet” needs to be dried down prior to storing. Careful drying and
curing prior to storage are crucial to prevent losses. For small quantities, this can be done in any
warm, dry place. Large scale production units require special facilities for crop drying and curing.
The optimum temperature for initial drying is 28oC until the skins are dry. A further period of curing
is then required (25 oC for up to two weeks). Once cured, the bulbs can be stored through winter in a
cool (>5oC) dry place for up to three months. Longer-term storage requires refrigeration.