Growing Loads of Supermarket Garlic In Pots Cannot be Easier!, by Blunder, then Bloom! on YouTube. 14 min 5 s.
- Video length
- 14 min 5 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Work out how many cloves you need. Each clove makes one new bulb, so count your pots and plan about one clove per 10 to 15 cm of pot width.
Choose a pot with drainage holes. A pot around 20 to 30 cm wide holds several cloves and gives roots room to grow.
Decide between supermarket and garden-centre bulbs. Supermarket garlic is cheap to try, but it may carry disease or be treated to stop sprouting, so accept the risk.
Break the bulb into individual cloves just before planting. Keep the papery skin on and leave the biggest, firmest cloves for planting.
Inspect each clove and discard any that are soft, mouldy or damaged. A healthy clove is firm and plump with no dark patches.
Fill the pot with compost, leaving about 3 cm of space below the rim. Firm it gently but do not press it down hard.
Push each clove into the compost with the pointed end up, about 5 cm deep and 10 cm apart. Cover with compost and water lightly.
Place the pot somewhere cold and sunny, like a patio or balcony. Water only when the compost feels dry, as soggy soil rots cloves.
Watch for yellowing leaves, white mould or stunted growth over winter. Remove affected plants so disease does not spread to the rest of the pot.
Tips and common mistakes
Plant in autumn, not spring, because garlic needs a cold spell to split into cloves and form bulbs.
Never plant a clove that looks mouldy or soft, since one bad clove can spread rot through the whole pot.
Use a pot with drainage holes and avoid overwatering, as waterlogged compost is the most common cause of failure.
Buy fresh bulbs each year rather than replanting your own, to reduce the chance of carrying disease forward.
Questions
Can I really grow garlic from supermarket bulbs?
Yes, it often works, but supermarket garlic may be treated to stop sprouting or carry disease. Results vary, so plant extra cloves and expect some to fail.
When will the garlic be ready to harvest?
Garlic planted in autumn is usually ready in summer, when the leaves start to yellow and die back. Lift the bulbs and let them dry before storing.
How often should I water garlic in pots?
Water when the top of the compost feels dry, more often in spring and less in winter. Garlic dislikes sitting in wet soil, so never let the pot stay waterlogged.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
