The time to pick wild garlic is usually in April, sometimes as early as March. If you don't want to go to the trouble of looking for the wild herb in the forest, you can also plant it in the garden. But where does wild garlic actually feel at home?
Can you plant wild garlic in the shade?
In fact, wild garlic feels particularly comfortable in one locationin the shade: It is not without reason that the wild herb is also known asforest garlic. But be careful: it shouldn't be too dark, it's best to plant Allium ursinumin a partially shaded or light-shaded place
Where does wild garlic grow?
In its natural habitat, you won't find wild garlic in dark shade, butin herb-rich, light-shaded places under deciduous treesHere, plenty of light still falls through the loose crowns and it's not like that dark as in a coniferous forest. The wild herb also prefershumous, nutrient-rich and calcareous soil- you are also more likely to find thisunder deciduous trees
For this reason, you should never plant wild garlic in the garden under conifers or other conifers or under evergreen ericaceous plants such as rhododendrons. Wild garlic will not feel comfortable here. Instead, if you don't have any deciduous trees in the garden, place it on the north side of the house.
Does wild garlic germinate in the shade?
Sow wild garlic directly at its location in the shade or plant the onions in the same place. However, keep in mind that the herbis one of the dark germinators, so the seeds must be covered with soil. The onion must also be buried a few centimeters deep in the ground. Furthermore, the seeds need acold stimulus so that the germination inhibition is broken and the plants can germinate. Therefore, you should sow wild garlic in the fall or store it beaten in cold sand for some time in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator before sowing.
Which shade plants get along with wild garlic?
Wild garlic pulls in its leaves in summer and moves underground. You should therefore fill the area with other plants that feel comfortable in light shade in the same location. These includeShadow perennialssuch as astilbe, wood anemones or cowslips as well as variousFernsBut be careful: never plant wild garlicnext to similar-looking poisonous plants , as the risk of confusion is too great. These include, above all, species such as lily of the valley, autumn crocus or arum, which can cause serious symptoms of poisoning or even fatal poisoning if accidentally consumed.
Tip
Do you have to limit the growth of wild garlic?
If you have found the right location for wild garlic in the shade, the plant will quickly begin to grow and spread. Wild garlic multiplies very quickly when it feels comfortable and then covers large areas. Therefore, install root barriers when planting or cultivate the herb in a raised bed or a large container.
