Do you love garlic? It really makes such a difference in any savory recipe.
Whether you use it in your cooking or not, this amazing bulb has many health benefits.
Did you know that you can actually grow garlic indoors? It’s true! Fresh home-grown garlic is the best, and it’s not as difficult as you might think.
In this step-by-step guide, we will show you how to do it. Growing garlic is a great way to get fresh garlic all year round, and it’s really easy too!
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Supplies you need to grow garlic indoors:
–Garlic bulbs (of course!)
-Potting soil
-Pots or containers
-Water
How to choose garlic bulbs
There are two different types of garlic — softneck and hardneck.
Within these types, there are an array of varieties with different flavor profiles. Softneck grows well in mild climates, whereas hardneck prefers colder temperatures, which means it needs cold weather to form a head or bulb.
Softneck may be a better choice for growing indoors but depending on where you source your garlic, it may be difficult to know what type you have.
Either way, the key is that you purchase garlic that’s organic and locally grown, if you can find it at the farmers market, online, or grocery store.
The reason for this? Conventional garlic is chemically treated to prohibit growth and prevent sprouting.
You need garlic that is meant to grow in order for your bulbs to sprout.
Additionally, you want to make sure you have garlic from a disease-free area to avoid any potential problems down the road.
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How to grow garlic indoors: step by step
Step One: Start with good quality garlic bulbs. You can find these at your local grocery store, farmer’s market, or online.
Choose bulbs that are plump and have tight skin. Avoid any bulbs that are sprouting or have any mold on them.
Step Two: Prep the garlic bulbs for planting by storing them in the fridge.
Before starting the garlic indoors for best results, place the desired garlic cloves in the refrigerator for several weeks to simulate the cold as if they were planted outdoors. (Garlic normally requires cold conditions to generate a scape, which is a bloom that develops into a head or bulb.)
Instead of continuing to grow your garlic indoors after you’ve planted the cloves, you may leave the pots outside during the day for a few weeks and bring them inside at night.
Step Three: Fill your pots or containers with potting soil. You want to use light, well-draining soil.
Step Four: Plant the garlic bulbs about two inches deep in the soil, and space them about four inches apart.
Step Five: Water your garlic well. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy.
Step Five: Place your pots in a sunny spot. Garlic needs at least six hours of sunlight per day.
Step Six: Harvest your garlic when the leaves start to turn brown. Cut off the garlic heads, and store them in a cool, dry place.
That’s it! It’s really that easy to grow garlic indoors. With just a few simple supplies and some basic instructions, you can have fresh garlic all year round. Give it a try!
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How long does it take for garlic to grow indoors?
Garlic takes about two to three months to grow indoors. You will know it is ready to harvest when the leaves start to turn brown.
What is the best way to store garlic?
If you’ve harvested the garlic heads but don’t plan on using them all right away, you can store them in a cool, dry place. If you want to keep the garlic bulbs whole, you can store them in a dark, cool closet or pantry.
You can also store garlic in the freezer. To do this, peel the cloves and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Squeeze out all the air, and seal the bag. Frozen garlic will keep for about six months.
Conclusion
There are many ways to use garlic, so it’s great to have some on hand at all times. With this simple guide, you can grow garlic indoors all year round.
Give it a try! Your taste buds will thank you.