When is the best time to plant garlic?

Garlic is a popular condiment vegetable that contains unique sulfur compounds that give it its characteristic strong smell. Different varieties of garlic vary in size, shape, color, and flavor. So when is the best time to plant garlic?

When is the best time to plant garlic?

Garlic planting time is divided into two types: spring and autumn. The proportion of spring planting is smaller, and autumn planting is the main one. The growth cycle of garlic planted in spring is about 90 to 100 days. It is suitable for sowing from March to April and harvesting from June to July.

Garlic planted in autumn has a longer growth cycle, approximately between 210 and 270 days. If sowing is done in the eighth month of the lunar calendar, it is usually not possible to harvest until the fourth or fifth month of the following lunar calendar, during which time the entire winter will pass.

Autumn sowing times vary in different regions. In the Huanghuaihai region, the period from White Dew to Autumnal Equinox is the peak season for sowing garlic. The sowing time in the Yangtze River Basin is slightly earlier, starting around late August and lasting until early September. Cold winter regions such as Northeast China and Inner Mongolia are not suitable for growing open-air garlic, but greenhouse cultivation is not subject to this restriction and can be arranged according to the harvest time of the previous round of crops.

The sowing time of garlic is also affected by the variety, including early maturing, mid-maturing, mid-late maturing and late maturing types. Farmers who grow early-maturing varieties may choose to sow early in the hope of harvesting before the peak season for garlic shoots and garlic to be put on the market, thereby obtaining better prices.

There are a few things to keep in mind when planting garlic:

Garlic seeds should be treated before sowing, and appropriate seed dressing agents should be used to prevent diseases and pests and promote growth.

The sowing depth should be controlled between 3 and 5 cm to ensure that the garlic sprouts smoothly.

The sowing density should not be too dense and should be determined according to the variety and clove size of garlic, generally between 8 and 12 cm.

If the local temperature drops early, you can cover the ground with mulch after sowing to promote emergence and improve the ability to overwinter.

In general, the sowing time of garlic has an important impact on the final yield and quality. Farmers who intend to grow garlic should start preparing for the planting work in advance.