When is the best time to plant garlic?

The growth cycle of garlic includes the germination stage, seedling stage, bulbil and flower bud differentiation stage, scape elongation stage, bulb enlargement stage and physiological dormancy stage. The growing period of spring-sown garlic is shorter, about 90-110 days. The growing period of autumn-sown garlic is longer, reaching 220-280 days. So when is the best time to plant garlic?

When is the best time to plant garlic?

With the arrival of September and the approach of the White Dew solar term, many areas are about to enter a period suitable for growing garlic. When sowing garlic in autumn, it is particularly important to control the sowing time, and the suitable sowing time varies significantly in different regions.

In some areas, especially in southern Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Yunnan and Hubei, the sowing time is earlier due to the warm climate, usually starting in late August to early September. In northern regions, such as Shandong, Hebei, Henan, Jiangsu, Anhui and Zhejiang, the sowing time is later, mostly concentrated around National Day.

The sowing time of garlic mainly depends on local climatic conditions and the characteristics of the selected variety. Therefore, growers in various regions can determine the best sowing time based on historical experience and local climate characteristics to ensure the growth and yield of garlic. Generally speaking, by following the sowing habits of previous years and combining them with the climate forecast for the year, a reasonable sowing plan can be arranged.

Garlic Planting Tips

1. Garlic seed processing

Before sowing garlic, proper treatment of the garlic seeds can promote the neat and strong seedlings and reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests. For example, to prevent common problems such as root rot and garlic maggots, the garlic seeds can be dried for two days before sowing, and then soaked in water for a day. An appropriate amount of carbendazim can be added to the water to kill bacteria and prevent diseases. In addition, seed dressing with agents such as fenpropimorph, thiamethoxam, or mefenamic acid can further prevent insect pests and diseases.

2. Soil preparation and fertilization

Before sowing garlic, the soil should be deeply plowed to ensure that the soil is loose, and sufficient base fertilizer should be applied. The base fertilizer is mainly decomposed organic fertilizer . If organic fertilizer is insufficient, it can be added with an appropriate amount of compound fertilizer . When applying base fertilizer, avoid direct contact of fertilizer with garlic seeds to prevent seed burning.

3. Sowing techniques

The row spacing of garlic should be kept at about 20 cm, and the plant spacing should be about 8-10 cm, which can be adjusted according to the variety and planting purpose. When sowing, you can use the method of digging holes or trenches. The sowing depth should be controlled at 4-5 cm. The garlic cloves should be placed upright with the pointed end facing up. After sowing, cover the soil with 1-2 cm. If the soil is too thick, the seedlings may grow without forming garlic bulbs. The seedlings will emerge about a week after sowing.

4. Management after sowing

After sowing, keep the soil moderately moist. If the soil is dry, water it in time to ensure that the seedlings emerge neatly and avoid missing seedlings. In northern areas, winter watering should be done before the plant freezes in winter, and fertilizer application can also be combined. During the winter in cold areas, materials such as weeds can be used to cover the ground to protect the seedlings and ensure rapid greening and lush growth in the spring.

In summary, garlic sowing is divided into spring sowing and autumn sowing, with autumn sowing being the main method in most areas. In colder areas, spring sowing is also practiced. The specific sowing time and method should be determined according to local climatic conditions and traditional sowing habits to achieve the best planting results.