Garlic 'Italian Red' (2 Heads) Organic

Garlic 'Italian Red' (2 Heads) Organic

Group: Artichoke Description: All garlics in this group are non-bolting (softneck) with multiple clove layers and a general flattened shape. Bulb skins are off-white to pale mauve, coarse and thick, sometimes with purple patches. Some bulbs are round and symmetrical (e.g. ‘Italian Late’), others lumpy and asymmetrical (e.g. ‘Kisswani’). Plants are short and wide with broad nearly horizontal yellow-green leaves. Good for plaiting. Cloves: Clove numbers vary from 12–20, in three layers with the inner cloves smaller and narrower than the plump, clasping outer cloves. Clove skins are off-white to light tan and difficult to peel. Climate: Garlics in the Artichoke group are mid-season to plant and harvest, and are widely adapted to a variety of climates, growing best from NSW to TAS, plus SA and southern WA (inc. Perth). Flavour: Simple, direct flavours and are mild to hot when raw. The best tasting cultivars though can be more complex with long-lasting sweet true garlic flavours. Storage: 6–8 months Planting: March - May Harvest: Nov – Jan (one month earlier in NSW and SA) Queensland harvest: In southern areas of QLD and northern NSW, we recommend growing Subtropical garlic, as well as Artichoke or Turban varieties, as these are the most tolerant of climatic conditions in this area. How to grow garlic: 1 Improve soil prior to planting by incorporating well-rotted compost, manure and organic fertilisers such as rock dust and blood and bone prior to planting. Garlic is a bulb, so good drainage is essential. If your soil becomes damp or waterlogged throughout winter. Mound soil up to improve drainage. 2 Split garlic bulbs into their individual cloves. To ensure the best result, select the plumpest cloves for planting out, leaving smaller cloves for the kitchen. 3 Plant individual cloves, pointy end upward, in holes 5cm deep and 10-12 cm apart. Space rows 15-20cm apart. Gently backfill and water to settle soil in around each clove. 4 Mulch with sugarcane or straw to a depth of 7-10cm. Shoots will push through the mulch so cover the entire area to prevent weed growth during winter. 5 Water as required once shoots are around 10cm tall. Garlic prefers a moist, not wet soil. Apply a liquid fertiliser of seaweed (Granular Seaweed Solution) or fish emulsion (Ocean Brew) fortnightly during the growing season to keep garlic healthy and productive. How to harvest garlic: Garlic is ready to harvest when the leaves begin to dry and there are only 4-5 green leaves remaining. These remaining leaves become the protective skins as cloves dry and harden. Dig up garlic using a fork or trowel to minimise damage to the bulb. Shake to remove loose soil and hang in clumps in a dry, airy place away from direct sunlight for 1-2 months to allow the bulbs to harden.