Garlic requires less labour and costs, but is highly demanded and very profitable. Garlic grows under wide range of climatic conditions.
Garlic is propagated by cloves and harvested between 135-150 days after planting. Usually when garlic leaves begin to yellow this shows that the plant is ready for harvest. Normally garlic prefers moderate temperatures, well drained loam, sandy loam or clay soils for better growth.
Planting
When planting garlic use 150- 200 kg of healthy bulbs for sowing on 1 hectare and sowing should be done using the furrow method. Also cloves should be planted at 5.5- 7.5 cm soil depth with growing ends facing upwards at spacing of 15cm and cover with loose soil. Furthermore, planting should be done either during June- July or October – November in furrows of 15cm and lightly irrigate.
Fertilizers and irrigation
First, add 20 tones per hectare of well decomposed organic manure to boost soil nutrient content. Thereafter, add NPK fertilizers at a rate of 60kg per hectare and 30 days after planting apply 10kg of borax per hectare to increase on the bulb size. Ensure to irrigate the field soon after planting and control weeds using hand method. Also, monitor pests and diseases and after harvesting keep garlic under shade for 2-3 days. Lastly remove dried stalks, clean, sort and grade bulbs.
