Onions & garlic
By carmelbg
@carmelbg (519)
October 29, 2009 2:03am CST
Has anyone grown their own onions and garlic? I now need to prepare my onion bed and I have two books which give me conflicting information. One says they want loose soil, the other says well compacted? One states they don't like recently manured ground whilst the other says different! Please help any growers out there give me a clue!
2 people like this
3 responses
@peavey (16936)
• United States
6 Nov 09
I've always grown onions and garlic both in loose soil so they have room to expand. I don't manure crops but I sheet compost which keeps the soil healthy and loose. The only thing to remember about onions is to get the type for your area because different types take different lengths of daylight to grow well.
2 people like this
@marguicha (230351)
• Chile
31 Oct 09
I friend, I´m growing for the first time garlic and spring onions. I planted both in loose soil thinking that any veggie that has an eatable bulb must have loose soil to grow better. As for the amount of fertilizer, I have a good organic soil in my small garden so I decided that would be it.
Luck and keep us posted.
Luck and keep us posted.1 person likes this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
6 Nov 09
Good morning, marguicha! My family and I love garlic, and have been growing for quite a few years...just finished planting 227, with more to come!
You are so right about loose, loamy soil...and garlic is a heavy feeder, so I use leeched seaweed and aged manure. Now that the leaves have fallen, I shred them with the mower, and mulch heavily for the winter/spring! The mulching keeps the weeds under check, as garlic likes NO competition for it's nutrients! One other thing that I have learned is to rotate the crops, as one year, after planting in the same bed, I had a blight! I basically grow only hardneck varieties, as they are great keepers, and luckily, now, it is only my seed stock, so I know that it is as chemical free as possible. Can't control what comes down in the rain..LOL! Here's to the garlic growers of the world...and Cheers!
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
31 Oct 09
Happy Hallowe'en...carmelbg! I can only relate my experience from growing both, and both are from the same family..Allium! I have just planted over 400 bulbs, and I always rotate beds. Never grow in the same bed two years in a row. My soil is light & fluffy, so that the bulbs can expand! Manure/compost & sand, dug in, and when the tops are about 6" above ground...I mulch with both manure & grass clippings (aged) ... a thick enough layer to keep weeds from growing, as neither likes competition! The mulch also keeps the moisture content correct! I don't know where you live, but where I live (7a) I usually only need to water in June & July...harvest in August! I have been growing for about 15 years! Have a great crop! Cheers!
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
6 Nov 09
Thank you, ever so kindly for the best response. I truly am thrilled that you are growing your own garlic & onions, and before long, you may be growing all of your own veggies/fruits, too! It is such a rewarding task, physical...and ever so mental, as you never stop learning...and a lot of fun to share with friends,too!YOu did not mention your area, but if you are planting now, you must be in the same zone as I am! Please let me know how your garden grows...have a agreat weekend, and CHEERS!
