When our gardening expert P. Allen Smith talks about planting bulbs it's usually bulbs for big bloom. But today, Allen shows us how to plant garlic in our home gardens.

Video Transcription

I like to grow lots of different types of plants in my garden. Some for beauty and others for more functional reasons like garlic. It is ideal because I use so much of it cooking and since I like what it can do for food, I planted every year. You can grow garlic from one of these bulbs. All that you have to do is break it in to individual cloves like this and it will produce another bulb with as just many cloves. Garlic can be planted in the fall in mild climates. Early the mid October is ideal. But in parts of the country where winters are cold, it should be planted in the early spring as long as the soil can be worked. No matter where you garden, you take the same approach when planting. You will find that garlic like soil that is lose and crumbly that is why I have worked in a lot of composed organic matter into mind. Also, it needs soil that is well drained. Now, I am planting these little cloves about four to six inches apart and about two to four inches below the surface. When I placed them, I make sure that the cloves are upright with the top of the clove pointing skyward. Soon, they will produce new roots and little green tops will appear. Now, I mulched them with some of this old straw for a little winter protection. It will also help keep the soil consistently moist. You see, this is important if you want it nice, plump cloves so do not let it become dry. Garlic is so easy to grow. You should try planting some in your garden either this fall or the spring depending on where you live. From the garden, I am Allen Smith. If you would like more information on this topic or any other garden topic, just check out my website, pallensmith.com.