When is the best time to plant garlic?

Garlic is a crop with high economic value and relatively high planting returns, so it attracts many farmers. September is the golden period for garlic planting, and farmers in many areas choose to plant garlic in this month. However, the optimal planting time may vary due to differences in climatic conditions, soil types, and garlic varieties in different regions. Improper choice of sowing time, whether too early or too late, may have an adverse effect on the growth cycle and yield of garlic. Let’s learn together when is the best time to plant garlic?

When is the best time to plant garlic?

Garlic planting is divided into two methods: spring sowing and autumn sowing. The area of ​​spring sowing is relatively small, and autumn sowing is the main method. The growing period of garlic sown in spring is shorter, about 90 to 100 days. It is usually sown from March to April and can be harvested from June to July.

Garlic sown in autumn has a longer growing period, about 210 to 270 days. If sowing is done in the eighth month of the lunar calendar, it will usually take until the fourth or fifth month of the following year to harvest, during which time there will be a winter.

Autumn sowing times vary in different regions. For the Huanghuaihai region, the period from White Dew to Autumnal Equinox is the peak period for sowing garlic. The sowing time in the Yangtze River Basin is relatively early, usually starting in late August of the Gregorian calendar and lasting until early September. However, areas with lower winter temperatures, such as Northeast China and Inner Mongolia, are not suitable for open-air garlic cultivation. Garlic grown in greenhouses can be flexibly sown according to the harvest time of the previous crop.

Different garlic varieties will also affect the choice of sowing time. Common garlic varieties include early-maturing, mid-maturing, mid-late-maturing and late-maturing types. The sowing time of different varieties will vary. For example, farmers who grow early-maturing garlic may choose to sow early in the hope of getting the garlic sprouts and garlic to market before the peak season, thereby obtaining a better price.

When planting garlic, you should also pay attention to the following points:

1. Garlic seeds should be treated with seeds before sowing to prevent diseases and pests and promote growth. Commonly used seed dressing agents include imidacloprid and fenpropimorph.

2. The sowing depth should be appropriate. Too deep or too shallow is not conducive to garlic germination. Generally, 3-5 cm is appropriate.

3. The sowing density should not be too dense. Although some farmers believe that the higher the planting density, the higher the yield, this is not correct. Except for varieties specifically grown for garlic shoots, which require denser sowing, the sowing density of other varieties should be between 8-12 cm, the spacing between large garlic cloves is 10-12 cm, and the spacing between small garlic cloves is 8-10 cm.

4. If the local temperature drops early, you can cover the ground with plastic film after sowing to promote garlic germination and improve its ability to survive the winter.

Therefore, when farmers decide to plant garlic, they should determine the most suitable sowing time based on local climate data, soil characteristics and the specific needs of the selected garlic variety. At the same time, we should also pay close attention to weather changes and take appropriate risk management measures to ensure the healthy growth of crops and ultimate economic benefits.