Garlic is easy to cultivate and grow. The plants do not require any special care. However, many hobby gardeners make mistakes when fertilizing, which results in losses in the harvest. The demands of Allium sativum are not as high as often assumed.
How should you properly fertilize garlic?
Garlic only requires small amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium and lime. Monthly liquid fertilizers are not recommended; instead, an annual compost application should be made in spring. In case of deficiency symptoms, such as yellow leaves, a plant-strengthening nettle manure can help.
Claims
Garlic is a low to medium eater. The plants require nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium and lime in small amounts. If the supply of nutrients exceeds the plants' needs, they invest the energy in growth. Leaves and stems proliferate, so that the tubers also become thicker and the harvest yield increases. However, the aroma suffers and the garlic cloves taste less intense.
When fertilization makes sense
Many guides say that the culinary herb needs liquid fertilizer every month during the growth phase. It is not advisable to supply nutrients in this way as it negatively affects the quality of the garlic harvest. Additional nutrients in the form of annual compost additions in spring are necessary if the culinary herb grows on depleted topsoil. If you mix the soil yourself, Allium sativum does not need any further fertilization.
Prepare soil
Garlic grows excellently in the bed that was planted with vegetables last season. Pay attention to crop rotation. You should not plant the herb in areas where onion plants from the same family have been cultivated. For growing in a pot, we recommend high-quality universal soil or a self-prepared substrate.
Processing instructions:
- Composting leached potting soil
- mix mature compost with sand
- Avoid adding horn meal and pellets made from sheep's wool or horse manure
This substrate is suitable for garlic in pots as well as for improving the bed soil. It ensures a loose structure so that the irrigation water can drain off easily. The organic substances act as long-term fertilizer because soil organisms decompose the material over time.
Administer plant manure
If the garlic plants show deficiency symptoms in the form of yellow leaves or leaf tips in spring, you should administer a plant-strengthening decoction. Aqueous solutions from nettles provide the herbs with quickly available nutrients such as nitrogen and support he althy growth. The administration stops as soon as the plants grow he althy again.