Garlic 'Asian Tempest' (Garlic)

It is best to plant garlic purchased for that purpose rather than trying to start bulbs from culinary stock you buy at the grocery store since you will want to choose varieties best suited to your growing location (grocery bulbs, also, are usually treated to prevent spouting and they may bear diseases). Garlic beds should be well drained and free from weeds. Raised beds with well worked soil are ideal. Cloves should be planted in the fall, as garlic likes to grow foliage during the cool weather and develop the bulb during the warm weather, taking about 8 months to reach maturation. Break apart the bulb without removing the papery outer husk. Plant 2 inches (5 cm) deep, with the tip (point) of the clove up, 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) apart in 15 to 24 inch rows (38 - 60 cm) apart. Mulch deeply after planting especially in colder areas with all garlic, and mulch in all zones with elephant garlic which tends to be less hardy. The plants will be growing under the soil even though no top growth will be seen until spring. In Spring, lighten the mulch to just enough to prevent weeds. On larger bulbs a woody flower stalk called a scape will appear and grow small bulblets. Scapes should be removed but the bulblets may be eaten. Set aside some of the larger bulbs from your harvest for your next year's crop.