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It’s important to know when to plant garlic in Kansas in order to have a successful crop. The best time to plant garlic is in the fall, a few weeks before the first frost.
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Introduction
Most people think of garlic as a kitchen staple, but did you know that it’s also a versatile and easy-to-grow plant? Garlic is a member of the onion family and is related to leeks, shallots, and chives. It’s a hardy perennial that can be planted in the fall or spring and will produce bulbs for harvesting the following summer.
Garlic is tolerant of a wide range of soils but grows best in rich, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. It’s important to break up any large clumps of dirt and remove any rocks or debris before planting. You’ll also want to make sure that the area where you plant garlic gets full sun for at least six hours each day.
Garlic can be planted either as individual cloves or as whole bulbs. If you’re planting cloves, each one should be about an inch deep and four inches apart. For bulbs, plant them so that the top of the bulb is about two inches below the surface of the soil and space them eight inches apart. Water your garlic well after planting.
In Kansas, garlic can be planted in either the fall or spring. Fall planting is recommended for areas where winters are mild, as this gives the plants a chance to develop roots before the ground freezes. Spring planting is fine for most other parts of the state. Whichever method you choose, make sure to plant your garlic at least six weeks before the first frost date in your area.
Once your garlic is planted, all you need to do is water it regularly (keeping the soil moist but not soggy) and weed around it as needed until harvest time. Bulbs are ready to harvest when the bottom leaves turn yellow and begin to wither away from the stalk. Cut off these leaves about an inch above where they meet the bulb, then dig up your garlic carefully using a fork or spade. Shake off any excess dirt and store your bulbs in a cool, dark place until you’re ready to use them!
The Best Time to Plant Garlic in Kansas
The best time to plant garlic in Kansas is in the fall, about six to eight weeks before the first expected frost. This allows the plants to develop a strong root system before winter sets in. cloves should be planted with the pointy side up and about an inch deep. Space plants about six inches apart, in rows that are at least a foot apart.
The Worst Time to Plant Garlic in Kansas
The worst time to plant garlic in Kansas is during the summer months. The hot temperatures and lack of rainfall during this time of year can stress the plants and cause them to produce smaller bulbs. If you must plant garlic during the summer, choose a spot that receives afternoon shade and water the plants regularly.
How to Plant Garlic in Kansas
In Kansas, garlic can be planted in the fall or spring. Fall planting is best because it gives the garlic a head start on growth and makes it less likely to bolt (send up a flower stalk) in the spring.
If you plant garlic in the fall, plant it about 6 to 8 weeks before the first hard frost. This is usually sometime in October. The soil should be prepared in the same way as if you were planting in the spring: loosened to a depth of 12 inches, with organic matter added. Break the garlic bulbs into cloves, keeping the papery skin on, and plant each clove about 2 inches deep and 4 inches apart, pointed end up. Water well.
Mulch your garlic bed with at least 4 inches of straw after planting, to protect the cloves from freezing. In Kansas, garlic planted in the fall will usually overwinter just fine without any additional protection, but if you are worried about extremely cold temperatures, you can cover the bed with a layer of burlap or another type of breathable fabric.
If you choose to plant garlic in the spring instead of fall, plant it as soon as the ground can be worked, which is usually sometime in March or April. Spring-planted garlic will not have as long to grow and mature as fall-planted garlic, so it is more likely to bolt (send up a flower stalk). bolting can also happen if the weather warms up too early in spring and then gets cold again; this can trick the garlic into thinking it’s time to bolt even though it’s not really time yet. For this reason, spring-planted garlic is best suited for short-day varieties that don’t require as long to mature.
Conclusion
If you want to plant garlic in Kansas, the best time to plant is in the fall, about six weeks before the first expected frost. garlic needs a period of cool weather (about 40-60 degrees Fahrenheit) to form strong roots before the ground freezes. If you plant too early, the garlic may sprout before it goes into its winter dormancy, and if you plant too late, the garlic may not have enough time to get established before the ground freezes.
