Garlic is not only considered a true superfood with many health benefits, but it is also an essential ingredient that adds unique flavor to all of our culinary recipes. Imagine if you could enjoy all the benefits without having to buy it every time you go to the supermarket. Would it be possible to sprout garlic easily at home? Apparently YES… explanation!

To grow garlic, we all know the classic method: you need a garden! But what if we told you that we have a much easier technique? No more worries about weather, soil, mulch and weeds! All you need is a clove of garlic, a glass of water and some sunshine.

Is it possible to grow garlic indoors?

Garlic is excellent to grow as an indoor plant. It is enough that:

  • Your pot should have a drainage hole at the bottom.
  • Place your plant in a bright place where it can benefit from the sun’s rays.
  • You place your plant in a dry room. Garlic is afraid of excess water and moisture.

However, growing garlic at home can have some disadvantages. And it’s because of the way you grow it indoors, which is a bit different. Obviously, it’s impossible to expect your pods to turn into real onions after a few weeks in the ground. Of course, you can harvest garlic leaves instead, which can be chopped raw to add to salads, garnish soups, add flavor to stir-fries, and enhance the taste of many recipes!

How to grow garlic in the water?

If you live in an apartment or don’t have enough space in your garden to grow garlic, our nifty method is a great alternative. Follow the instructions to see how it’s done:

  1. Choose the right garlic cloves: This is a necessary step, dear readers! Opt for sprouted pods (those with a little green button on top). Otherwise, you’ll need to take a whole bulb and cut off the pointy end with a knife.
  2. Prepare your container: Provide yourself with a transparent glass dish (to keep track of your plant’s germination) that can hold about ½ lb. of water.
  3. Divide the garlic bulbs into individual cloves: Place each clove (with its skin) on the sides of the container, making sure the pointed or sprouted end is facing up.
  4. Add water: Fill your container with lukewarm water, just enough to cover the bottom of your garlic clove. It’s important not to submerge them or they may die!
  5. Wait a moment: put your container in a very sunny place for about a week. However, do not forget to change the water when necessary. When the tops of the pods begin to discolor and turn brownish, place your bowl away from direct sunlight for a day or two.
  6. Harvest the garlic sprouts: when the young plants reach a height of at least 8 inches. Cut them with scissors. However, take only the amount you need, as they quickly lose flavor. Also, keep in mind that your garlic will definitely not produce shoots after the first harvest.

ENJOY IT: With these simple steps, you can now enjoy your garlic for your cooking needs!

How to grow garlic from a clove using the can trick?

Vegetables are usually grown from seed, but to grow garlic, all you have to do is plant individual cloves! Check out our guide that shows you how:

  1. First, cut off the bottom half of a 5-gallon container and drill four holes in the bottom.
  2. Fill your pot with potting soil and make 3 holes about 10 inches deep.
  3. Carefully take out 3 cloves of garlic, being careful not to damage the roots.
  4. Then cut the roots slightly, about 1 inch from the stem.
  5. Put one clove per hole (stem side up) and cover with a little soil.
  6. Pour the water from the bowl that held the garlic cloves or head into your new pot.
  7. You only have to wait a few more weeks, dear readers, and your potted garlic will be ready to eat!
  8. You can also plant garlic directly into your garden soil using this technique.

Fall-winter-spring planting: when and how to plant garlic outdoors?

If you want to be successful in growing garlic, it is important to follow a methodical and clearly defined program! It should therefore be noted that garlic generally requires a cool period (32 to 50 °F) to produce high quality bulbs, i.e. 1 to 2 months. For this reason, gardeners usually plant it in late fall or early winter. In other words, to achieve satisfactory results, you need to proceed between October and February. However, for your information, dear readers, some varieties are suitable for planting in early spring.

How do you grow garlic in the garden or vegetable patch?

  1. Prepare your soil: Garlic needs a sunny, well-drained location to grow. However, avoid planting it in acidic soil (with a pH below 6.5).
  2. Plant your pods: Break the bulbs into individual pods and bury them, while keeping the skin on, 1-1.5 inch deep below the soil surface, with the root end down and the pointed end up! Please keep a distance of 6 inches from each other.
  3. Water your plants: During dry spells, be sure to water your garlic well to encourage bulb growth. Avoid wetting the leaves as this can lead to fungal diseases. Stop watering altogether in the last weeks of growth (yellow foliage and well-formed bulbs).

How long does it take to grow garlic?

Growing your own garlic from cloves takes about 6-7 months. If you plant the garlic cloves in the middle of winter, you can enjoy them between June and August.

As you must have understood, dear readers, growing garlic at home is very easy and you do not need your own planting room to grow it.