Garlic in pots in the UK?, Growing garlic in pots containers at home UK is our next guide to help you make a good decision about planting, growing and harvesting garlic in pots in the Uk.
Growing garlic in pots or containers at home is a great way to get a nice crop of fresh garlic when you don’t have much space, or even if you do.
Pot-grown garlic will thrive and produce a good crop of fresh garlic without the extra effort of preparing a planting site in the ground.
SUMMARY
GROWING GARLIC IN POTS, CONTAINERS AT HOME UK
What’s more, growing garlic in pots or containers is a relatively simple process, allowing gardeners of all skill levels and experience to participate.
Growing garlic in pots or containers has the advantage of not requiring you to plant in the ground or even place the pot or container in a garden; they can be grown on balconies or other areas where there is little to no garden space.
Over the last few decades, the humble garlic has exploded in popularity, becoming a staple ingredient in British cuisine.
Related Guide: HOW TO GROW ELEPHANT GARLIC IN POTS?
It used to be considered as something alien or exotic on our plates and palates, but now it’s so popular that April 19th is designated as National Garlic Day! Garlic is commonly used as an herb or spice to add flavor to a meal, yet it is botanically classified as a vegetable.
It’s a vegetable that belongs to the allium family of vegetables, which includes onions, shallots, and leeks. You wouldn’t eat a garlic clove raw, unlike its relatives, though I’m sure some people do!
Garlic is commonly used in meals by being crushed, spread, roasted, mixed, or diced.
It’s also quite popular among new and seasoned gardeners, as well as families with young children, because it’s very easy to grow good garlic in the UK, and even a very tiny space may provide a fair crop.
It only requires careful care and a warm, sunny location. Garlic also has a long shelf life, so any leftovers can be stored for several months.
Read Also: GROWING GARLIC INDOORS WITHOUT SOIL
This article is designed for anyone who want to produce garlic in containers or pots at home. From preparation to harvest and storage, we’ll go over all you need to know.
If you want to plant garlic in the ground at home, we’ve got a separate tutorial for you here.
WHY GROW GARLIC IN CONTAINERS OR POTS?
Growing garlic in pots or containers at home is a great option to grow garlic if you don’t have a lot of space or don’t want to grow it in the ground.
But why garlic in particular? Garlic, on the other hand, is exceedingly simple to cultivate – even for complete beginners – and relatively low-maintenance.
It’s also an incredibly adaptable vegetable that has grown in popularity to become a standard element in dishes across the United Kingdom.
It also keeps well, lasting up to a few months in the refrigerator, though some varieties are better suited to storage than others.
Garlic is also extremely beneficial to our health when consumed as part of a well-balanced diet. It’s full of B and C vitamins, as well as manganese, selenium, iron, copper, and potassium.
Garlic creates an enzyme called allicin when crushed or diced, which has been shown to alleviate inflammation and provide antioxidant effects.
All of that deliciousness benefits our hearts, joints, and brains, as well as aiding digestion, colds and flus, and muscular aches.
We think you’ll agree that for its tiny, it packs quite a punch, and we’re not just talking about the strong perfume! Not to mention the bragging rights that come with raising your own vegetables.
That, without a doubt, takes precedence over everything else. The freshness, taste, and variation that you can get at home vs mass-produced store-bought garlic. Garlic is advertised as fresh in supermarkets, but it isn’t because it has already been dried.
WHICH GARLIC VARIETY SHOULD YOU GROW IN POTS?
Consider the sort or types of garlic you want to cultivate in your pots or containers before you start planting.
Would you desire to gain weight? Or how about the taste? Maybe the most important thing to you is longevity? Perhaps you’re looking for a truly abundant cropper?
Do you have a specific use case in mind for a meal? Whatever kind you choose, the method of growing in pots and containers will be similar, so don’t worry about having to change things up too much.
GARLIC: HARDNECK VS. SOFTNECK
Garlic comes in two varieties: hardneck and softneck. As they mature, hardneck varieties will produce garlic as well as an edible flower stem known as a’scape,’ which can be cut up and used in salads.
If you want to get a bit more usage out of the crop, they are a wonderful option. The scape is not produced by softneck garlic types.
However, this variety has the advantage of being able to be preserved for longer than hardneck varieties. Softnecks also mature more quickly.
So, there are certain advantages and disadvantages to both sorts to consider. They aren’t significant, but it pays to be aware of them.
Why not grow both types of garlic in different pots to keep your options open? Garlic is rather easy to cultivate and requires little physical area.
Keep in mind that garlic will always be grown from bulbs because it is difficult to produce viable seed for household usage. As a result, you’ll be purchasing bulbs from a reputable garden center.
Whatever variety you choose, make careful to know their unique type, when to sow, when to harvest, and any special requirements or traits they may have.
GARLIC VARIETIES TO GROW IN POTS
If you’re new to garlic, you might think that all varieties are the same as those found in supermarkets. Our stores aren’t known for having a wide variety of vegetables.
Whether it’s onions, potatoes, tomatoes, or carrots – most, if not all vegetables – you only have one or two options.
It’s all about commercial efficiency and durability at the sacrifice of variety and freshness, which is understandable.
However, with just a little effort, you can expand your horizons to include a wide range of fresher, healthier, and more delicious options that will ultimately save you money in the long term.
Garlic, Red Duke (hardneck)
It yields huge cloves and has a gorgeous purple striped look. It has one of the strongest garlic flavors and may be stored for a long time.
Wight of the Solent (softneck)
This garlic is native to the Isle of Wight and thrives in the British environment. It has a superb flavor balance ranging from medium to strong, and it stays well enough to be stored and enjoyed months later.
GARLIC FROM THE SUPERMARKET SHOULD NOT BE PLANTED.
Do not attempt to plant garlic cloves purchased from a supermarket. It isn’t worth the trouble. Garlic for the supermarket is often grown in several locations of the world, each with its own climate.
Furthermore, while they are treated as they develop, they are not held to the same high standards as garlic grown expressly for planting, and as a result, they may carry illnesses that do not affect people but do affect garlic.
Always purchase disease-free plants from a reputable garden center. The same is true for any seeds, veggies, or plants that are being started.
CHOOSING BETWEEN A HARDNECK AND A SOFTNECK
It makes no difference whether you plant one or both types of garlic in your containers.
The only thing you need to be aware of is your planting and growth timeline, which may vary depending on the variety of garlic you choose and whether you’re growing your garlic in containers indoors or in a greenhouse.
Next, we’ll talk about that.
GARLIC GROWING/HARVESTING TIMELINE IN GENERAL
It’s worth repeating that garlic is almost usually produced from bulbs, as generating viable seed for household usage is quite difficult. Just keep this in mind when you go shopping to avoid any confusion.
So, in general, you can plant garlic in the UK from fall to spring, say from late October/November in the autumn to late March/April in the spring. The optimum time to plant them is in the autumn since they generate a better crop.
Top tip: for the best results in bulb size and cropping, experienced garlic farmers always plant before Christmas.
Keep an eye out for whether the bulbs are intended for fall or spring planting, as planting an autumn bulb in the spring and vice versa may have an impact on your outcomes.
Garlic is typically available for harvest between May and September/early October. This is also true for garlic grown in the fall, but it may be harvested much earlier in the season than spring-seeded types.
Please keep in mind that some garlic kinds will produce sooner than others, so be aware of your garlic variety’s individual growing cycle.
Weather and growth circumstances will be taken into account as well. Similarly, if your pots will be kept in a greenhouse or indoors, you will be able to plant earlier and harvest sooner. Take into account all of the variables and develop a solid plan ahead of time.
HOW TO BEGIN GROWING GARLIC AT HOME IN POTS IN UK
Now that you’ve learned a little more about garlic, you’re ready to start growing your own in pots or containers at home.
It pays to know what to do ahead of time, so read through our instructions to get up to speed, and then get started when you’re ready! Remember, you’ll be starting with bulbs from a reputable garden centre.
What You’ll Require
To produce garlic in containers or pots, you’ll need the following tools and supplies:
Pots or Containers
That’s an obvious one, right? Make that you have the appropriate containers or pots for the job. A little container or pot won’t suffice for growing garlic; it might suffice for a single plant, but for a good crop, you’ll need several.
If you’re going to grow them in a pot, make sure it’s at least 30cm deep and two to three feet broad. Alternatively, use multiple smaller pots.
If it’s a container, you’ll usually be able to find one that fits your needs in terms of size and price. With a little effort, you can even construct them yourself. Regardless of what you have, make sure it drains well.
To emphasize the point, you’ll need numerous plants to generate a good crop, thus the size and/or quantity of pots will be affected.
Garlic is often cultivated in rows, and the greater the spacing between them and other rows, the larger the garlic will grow. It’s fine to put them closer together; they’ll just produce smaller onions.
However, don’t pack them together because it’s better for their development and illness control. Aim for 10-15cm spacing on all sides, or in a row with each bulb 10cm apart if you have lengthy containers.
Bulbs, Softneck or Hardneck
Obtain your garlic variety from a reputable garden center.
Compost
A good quality compost is required for your container, especially one that is suitable for growing vegetables or, more specifically, garlic. Any excellent quality general veggie and potting compost will do, and bags can be found at any garden center.
You can also add some acceptable grit, and once everything is mixed together, you’ll have a healthy mix of dirt that drains effectively.
Hand Fork
As you pour the compost and soil mix into the container, dig and loosen it. The soil should be loose to allow for proper drainage and to allow your garlic to grow a root system.
GROWING GARLIC FROM BULBS
Garlic isn’t commonly grown from seed, unlike other vegetables, because it’s difficult to generate viable seeds for use at home.
As a result, you can skip a lot of the work of growing seedlings and just buy the bulb type you want from a decent garden center when it’s available.
However, you may want to prepare your containers or pots ahead of time (instruction to follow).
THINK ABOUT THE LOCATION AND GET THE CONTAINER READY.
Garlic requires a warm, bright location with full sun and good, well-draining soil. Select a location for your containers or pots that provides this.
Also, if you plant in the autumn, make sure the site does not get too wet throughout the winter, as this may increase the risk of rot and disease.
When the containers are full with soil, it may be difficult to transfer them, so keep that in mind.
The convenience of preparing the compost/soil for container-grown garlic is fantastic. You merely need to buy the correct ingredients, mix them together, and you’re done.
In comparison, excavating the dirt and weeding the area would be a lot more work if you were planting in the ground. You also have the assurance that the soil mix is disease-free.
Remember that each garlic clove should be planted 10cm apart in a row or row, and each row should be roughly 30cm apart from one another (to give you an idea of how big your pot or container has to be, or how many you’ll need).
This will allow your garlic to flourish. Weeds can also find their way in, so having enough room makes finding and removing them easier.
So, take this into account, along with the number of cloves you have or want to develop, and you’ll be able to figure out how big your container should be, or how many you’ll need.
GARLIC CLOVES SOWING AND PLANTING
When your potting/container soil is ready and the time has come to seed your garlic cloves (depending on the variety), carefully remove the cloves from your bulbs and gently push them into the soil, about two to three inches deep, with the pointed end pointing upwards.
Cover them lightly with dirt and water them thoroughly, being careful not to over-water.
GROWING GARLIC IN POT IN THE UK
You’ll be relieved to learn that garlic isn’t a particularly demanding plant. It doesn’t require much in the way of watering or feeding.
Because there is no broad ground network to draw from, growing garlic, or any vegetable for that matter, in containers might increase its water requirements.
Keeping the soil damp but not wet is beneficial to your onion plants. This is especially true during extended periods of drought.
But that’s all there is to it. When the leaves begin to turn yellow, stop watering. The most important item to keep an eye on is weeds, which can still grow in containers but are less likely to do so.
Because the garlic plant isn’t particularly huge, it doesn’t cast a lot of shadow, which means it can be easily suffocated by adjacent weeds. Keep an eye out for them and dig them up if you see them.
Don’t worry if any bulbs have been uprooted by wind or animals; garlic is resilient enough that this can be readily remedied by just pressing them back into the soil.
You may notice hardneck types begin to blossom, but pluck them before they fully mature so the plant can focus on growing garlic bulbs. Keep an eye on your garlic until it’s ready to be harvested.
HARVESTED OF GARLIC IN THE UK
As previously said, the timing of garlic harvest is determined on the onion variety, weather, and growing circumstances. Autumn-sown garlic should be ready around June, while spring-sown garlic should be ready towards the end of July/August.
When the leaves have ceased developing, they will droop and turn yellow to brown, signaling that it is time to harvest. They should be large enough to harvest and use right away at this time.
Harvest the garlic by carefully loosening the dirt with a fork, then lifting the garlic from the earth. Avoid cutting the bulbs with your fork, since this will shorten their storage life or prevent them from being stored at all.
After that, gently brush off any dirt and leave the garlic to dry somewhere for two to three days, preferably on a tray in the sun. Any dirt that has remained should be brushed off once more.
KEEPING GARLIC SAFE
After the garlic has dried, separate the garlic that will be used from the garlic that will be stored. They can be kept in a string sack in a cool, dry, and dark location.
Alternatively, you can plait the foliage to produce a string of bulbs, which is a more traditional method of keeping them together. They should last for months if properly grown and preserved.
Any bulbs that have been damaged should be discarded. If you have any softneck kinds, keep in mind that they preserve better than hardneck varieties, so use them first if you have any.
TYPICAL ISSUES TO BE AWARE OF
Garlic, like any other vegetable, can develop difficulties, but the possibilities of this happening are much decreased when grown in containers. Here’s a rundown of what to be aware of and what to avoid:
Rusty Leek
But garlic isn’t a leek, you reply, a little befuddled. It’s just that leeks belong to the same family as leeks, and this is the name of the fungal disease that causes bright yellow spots on the leaves.
Wet spells and overwatering aggravate it, so keep an eye on your watering! There’s nothing that can be done once you’ve arrived. The garlic will not be affected if it is mild.
Remove the garlic and discard if it’s rotten and all over the leaves. It will not spread among the other garlic plants if you plant it with sufficient space. If this happens, don’t use the potted soil again.
White Rot of the Onion
The name convention is similar to what was said earlier. This manifests itself as a dense white fungal growth surrounding the bulb’s roots and base.
Unfortunately, there is no cure or treatment, and the only viable choice is to excavate all traces and burn them.
This location should never be planted again. If you’re taking good care of your containers, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Birds
Birds are by far the most vexing issue. They’ll cheerfully consume your seedlings, buds, leaves, and everything else. Simply cover your crop with appropriate bird netting to prevent them from getting to it.
Of course, if they’re placed inside a greenhouse or garden structure, you may be assured that no bird will be able to reach them.
GARLIC FROM CONTAINERS FOR YOUR OWN HOME-GROWN GARLIC
That’s all there is to it! Isn’t it simple? Garlic is easy to grow in containers at home if you don’t have much room or don’t want to dig up the ground.
Containers will still give you with a plentiful crop to use and preserve for later months.
What are your plans? Why not prepare your own naan bread and top it with some garlic? Alternatively, toss some in a roasting tray with chicken and plenty of root vegetables. Whatever your motivation, we hope you will try growing your own.
