Garlic is just as easy to grow on the balcony as in the bed. It only takes a few steps from planting to harvesting. You can find out what these are here.
How can I grow garlic on the balcony?
To grow garlic on the balcony, choose a sunny location, plant he althy garlic cloves 5-7 cm deep with the tip upwards in October or February and maintain a planting distance of one hand's length. Harvest the garlic in summer from July and August.
It's planting time twice a year
You have two opportunities to plant garlic. Planting time is in October or February. If you want to grow extra large garlic, autumn planting is recommended. The harvest will definitely take place the following summer from July and August.
Quality of the planting material determines the success of the harvest
To grow garlic successfully, you have the choice between two different planting materials. Fresh, he althy garlic bulbs are ideal. Divide these into several cloves with a sharp knife and let them dry for a few days before planting.
Seeds are rarely found in stores due to their short shelf life. If you prefer sowing, ask a hobby gardener friend for a few bulbs after the garlic has bloomed. The small, purple seeds must be placed in the soil immediately without drying them first.
Choose a location with an eye on the essentials
No question, garlic thrives in many places. To ensure that the harvest meets even the highest demands, it is recommended that the following site conditions be observed:
- preferably sunny, sheltered location
- ideally 6 hours of sunshine daily
- loose, humus-rich soil, permeable and warm
- good vegetable soil as a substrate for growing on the balcony
If you don't want to buy substrate for the balcony box, simply mix it yourself: loamy garden soil, sifted compost, enriched with sand, perlite or peat.
Planting depth and spacing do not require a meter measure
Once you have decided on a suitable location, you can plant garlic in no time.
- weed the soil meticulously and rake it thoroughly
- Stick garlic cloves 5-7 cm deep with the tip pointing upwards
- Sow seeds maximum 2-3 cm deep
- The ideal planting distance is one hand's length
So that the water doesn't wash away the thin layer of soil during the final watering, experienced hobby gardeners use a shower head for the watering can (€6.00 on Amazon).
Tips & Tricks
Garlic not only drives pests away from its neighbors in mixed cultivation. Prepared as a decoction, the spice plant naturally fights fungal diseases. Pour 1 liter of boiling water over 100 grams of chopped cloves. Let it steep for 24 hours and strain. Apply diluted in a ratio of 1:10 to diseased plants using a spray bottle until the symptoms disappear.
