For The Best Garlic And Onions, Plant In The Fall – AG Matters

The taste of any food is enhanced with the addition of garlic and onions. So it seems obvious that the better the garlic and onions, the better the enhancement. The Master Gardeners at Cornell Cooperative Extension say for the best results, plant them in the fall.

While both can be planted in spring, Garlic cloves planted in Mid-October produce bigger multifaceted bulbs by the harvest time of the following growing season. This results because the Garlics can get their roots into the ground in autumn, and then burst forth earlier the following spring.

Both can be started in seed trays, but most gardeners prefer the already partially grown “sets”- larger and easier to plant in careful spacing.  In moist, well drained fertile soil and in full sun, these vegetables grow well. Garlics fair best at being planted 2” in the soil and 6 “ apart, except for Elephant Garlics that need 6” spacing and rows 1’ apart. Onions need 1 “deep and 6” apart.

Spring planting of these bulbs should occur after the soil reaches 50 degrees F. and the soil is friable instead of too wet. There are a number of varieties of both these plants- many with unique attributes.

Besides making things taste better, both offer numerous health benefits.  The Master Gardeners at CCE answer any questions on the Horticulture Hot Line Wednesdays and Fridays, 9am to 12noon at 315-736-3394.

SOURCE: Cornell Cooperative Extension