GARLIC PRODUCTION IN MICHIGAN
How to grow garlic in Michigan? Consumers, growers, and backyard gardeners are becoming more interested in garlic (Allium sativum L.) because of its culinary usage and recently revealed health
GARLIC PRODUCTION IN MICHIGAN
How to grow garlic in Michigan? Consumers, growers, and backyard gardeners are becoming more interested in garlic (Allium sativum L.) because of its culinary usage and recently revealed health advantages.
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Garlic cultivation has become popular in areas outside of traditional U.S. producing zones, where little is known about cultivar performance and production procedures.
This guide explains the basics of garlic cultivation for commercial and family growers in of garlic in Michigan or how to grow garlic in Michigan.
GARLIC’S HISTORY IN MICHIGAN
Garlic belongs to the Allium genus and belongs to the Lily family. Onions (Allium cepa L.), chives (Allium schoenoprasum L.), leeks (Allium ampeloprasum L.), and several more edible and ornamental plants are all members of the genus Allium. Elephant garlic is a bulbing leek, not a variety of garlic.
Garlic cultivation has been documented in Egypt dating back to 3200 B.C. It is still a staple of Mediterranean, European, and Asian cuisines, as well as a medicinal herb used to cure a wide range of diseases.
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According to new research, both fresh and processed garlic may offer health benefits.
Garlic is now employed as a food ingredient and a dietary supplement due to its distinct flavor. Other crops have been treated with a liquid garlic spray as an insect repellant.
TYPES OF GARLIC TO GROW IN MICHIGAN
Softneck and hardneck garlic are the two most common varieties. Hardneck garlic produces a center “flower” stalk (called a “scape,” Figure 1) around 30 days after the bulbing process begins, similar to onions, except the garlic stalk is solid rather than hollow.
Softneck varieties don’t grow this stiff flower stalk, so they have a softer neck that’s better for braiding garlic. Garlic grows similarly to onions, except its leaves are flat rather than spherical.
The bulbing process is influenced by the duration of the day. It begins with the lengthening of the days in April and May.
In Michigan studies, softneck bulbs were found to be less winter hardy and more difficult to peel, with smaller cloves, milder flavors, and lower yields. Hardneck bulbs, on the other hand, have a shorter storage life than softneck bulbs.
CULTIVARS AND PROPAGATION OF GARLIC IN MICHIGAN
Garlic does not produce flowers or seeds. At the top of the scape, where flowers would ordinarily develop, little bulbs (bulbils, Figure 2) are generated.
Although these bulbils are clones of the parent plant and can be planted for production, garlic is typically propagated by separating bulbs and planting individual cloves. A clone of the original plant is produced by each clove.
Growers have named hundreds of garlic cultivars as a result of their selection of strains.
Garlic producers frequently share cultivars, and names can easily be misplaced, exchanged, or duplicated, resulting in a complex cultivar scenario.
Garlic cannot generate seed, hence breeders are unable to create cultivars that are particular to various growing locations.
Michigan State University began cultivar testing in 1996 at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center near Benton Harbor to determine which cultivars were best suited to Michigan circumstances.
“Music,” “German White,” and “Polish Softneck” all performed well in these trials and are suitable for commercial production in Michigan.
Plant small quantities of an untested cultivar until it has shown itself over two or three growing seasons.
Softneck and hardneck garlic cultivars are the two varieties of garlic (also called topset or stiffneck). Softneck varieties are whiter and mature earlier, have a longer storage life, and are easier to braid.
Softnecks, on the other hand, are more difficult to peel and feature little cloves (particularly towards the bulb’s center) and small seed cloves. Hardneck garlic varieties have four to eight cloves clustered around a central stem, are easier to peel, have more useable garlic and larger seed cloves, and are more winter hardy and mature later. Hardnecks have purple pigment in their skins and have a shorter storage life.
Based on Michigan yield experiments, the following cultivars can be recommended:
German White: A hardneck with white skin and purple stripes.It features 6–8 huge cloves per bulb, is medium-matured, and has a long storage life.
It has a powerful, spicy, and fiery flavor. With several bulbs measuring 2 to 2 1/2 inches in diameter, the yield will be roughly five to six times the weight sown.
Hardneck with white to pale pink skin and purple striations. If grown in cold climates, it contains four to six huge cloves per bulb, is medium-mature, and has a long storage life.
It has a great flavor that is strong but not overpowering. With numerous bulbs measuring 2 inches in diameter, the yield will be four to six times the weight planted.
Polish Softneck: A softneck with purple stripes on the inside and white on the outside.It has a bulb with 12 to 20 cloves per bulb, matures later, and has a long storage life. It usually has a strong, spicy taste to it.
With many bulbs measuring 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter, yields can be