Garlic
Growing Garlic
There are many types, varieties and selections of garlic. Some of the most commonly grown include Spanish Roja, Yugoslavian and French. California Early and California Late are also grown, but markets seem to prefer pungent types compared to mild.
Roadside and specialty markets prefer selections having pink, red or purple streaks in the skin. Supermarkets generally prefer white skin garlic.
Elephant garlic is not a true garlic. It is more closely related to leeks.
Garlic can be grown on a wide range of soil types if they are well-drained, deep and fertile. Soils with good organic matter are preferred due to increased moisture and nutrient holding capacity. Extremely heavy soils should be avoided. Soil pH should range from 6.0 - 7.5.
Garlic planting stock can carry viruses, white rot, and bulb and stem nematode. If these problems are brought in, land can be made unusable for the production of garlic and related crops such as onions. Make every effort to obtain planting stock from a reliable, disease-free source.
Cultivated garlic does not produce true seed. All garlic is propagated vegetatively by separating the bulbs into individual cloves either by hand or by machine (cracking). Hand separation is much less damaging to the cloves.
Seeding rate is about 700 to 1000 kg/ha (280 to 400 kg/acre) of garlic cloves. Depth of planting is 3 to 5 cm. Row spacing is 7 to 12 cm apart within the row and at least 20 cm between rows depending on methods of weed control to be used. Garlic can be planted in single rows or in multi-row beds. Beds may be raised or on the flat.
Seeding Date
In the Southern Interior, garlic is planted in the fall from September to mid-October. In the South Coastal Region and perhaps North Central areas, spring planting is sometimes preferred, but planting must be done as early as soil and weather conditions allow.
Garlic is shallow-rooted and is sensitive to moisture stress. For most soil types, approximately 2.5 cm of water is required per week. On very dry, sandy soils, as much as 5.0 cm is required weekly. Irrigation should not be applied within two weeks of harvest.
A soil test is required to determine nutrient requirements. Phosphorus and potassium requirements are similar to onions. Use the Vegetable Production Guide: Nutrient Management (PDF) for recommendations based on soil test results.
Note: Commercial garlic can be grown conventionally using chemical fertilizers or organically using composted manure or other materials.
Garlic is ready for harvesting when the tops begin to turn yellow. If harvest is delayed, wrapper scales that hold the cloves together will deteriorate and the bulbs may shatter. Digging is done by hand or with a tractor-mounted cutter bar that cuts the roots and lifts the bulbs. The plants are tied into bundles. Dirt may be washed from the bulbs, but this will result in a need for additional curing.
The bundles are placed on racks in an unheated building. This method is slow, so many growers increase air movement with fans to shorten the curing period. Curing is followed by cleaning, root trimming, sorting, grading, (braiding) and storage.
Garlic Weed Management
Garlic competes poorly with weeds. Cultivation should be frequent and shallow to avoid root damage. A straw mulch 4 inches thick can effectively suppress weeds. See tables below for herbicide recommendations.
Product | Rate | PHI* | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Chateau(flumioxazin)Group 14 |
Coarse textured soils (<5% organic matter): 280 g/ha (113 g/acre) Medium textured soil (<5% organic matter): 420 g/ha (170 g/acre) |
N/A |
|
Devrinol 50-DF(napropamide)Group 15 |
2.24 to 4.5 kg/ha Apply in 200 to 900 L/ha (80 to 365 L/acre) of water |
N/A |
|
Devrinol 2-XT(napropamide)Group 15 |
4.67 to 9.38 L/ha Apply in 200 to 900 L/ha (80 to 365 L/acre) of water |
N/A |
|
*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF).
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF).
Product | Rate | PHI* | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Poast Ultra(sethoxydim) Group 1 |
Annual grasses (incl. volunteer cereals): 320 mL/ha (130 mL/ac)
Annual grasses & quackgrass suppression: 470 mL/ha (190 mL/ac)
Quackgrass: 1.1 L/ha (445 mL/ac) |
50 |
|
Venture L(fluazifop-P-butyl & S-isomer)Group 1 |
barnyard grass (2-5 leaf stage): 0.8 L/ha (0.32 L/acre) proso millet (2-5 leaf): 1.0 L/ha (0.4 L/acre) foxtails (2-4 leaf): 1.4 L/ha (0.56 L/acre) quackgrass (3-5 leaf): 2.0 L/ha (0.8 L/acre) |
42
42
42 60 |
|
Centurion/Select(clethodim) Group 1 |
0.19 to 0.38 L/ha (77 to 154 mL/acre Apply in 55 to 225 L/ha (22 to 90 L/acre) of water at 275 kPa |
45 |
|
Prowl H2O(pendimethalin) Group 3 |
Mineral soils: 2.42 L/ha Muck soils: 6.6 L/ha Apply in 250 L/ha (100 L/acre) of water |
45 |
Mineral soils:
Muck soils:
|
Pardner(bromoxynil) Group 6 |
1.0 L/ha (400 mL/acre) |
58 |
|
Bromotril 240 EC(bromoxynil) Group 6 |
1.2 L/ha (480 mL/acre) Apply in 200 to 300 L/ha (80 to 120 L/acre) of water at 275 kPa |
58 |
|
Aim EC(carfentrazone-ethyl) Group 14 |
37 to 117 mL/ha (15 to 47 mL/acre) Apply in 100 L/ha (40 L/acre) of water |
1 |
|
*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF).
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF).
Garlic Insect Management
Small, grayish fly, smaller than a house fly, lays eggs at base of plants. Small, white maggots feed in onion bulbs. If attack occurs early, plants may be killed. If attacked later, plants live, but the bulbs are misshapen and contain maggots. Secondary rot often occurs.
Maggots have not been a significant problem in garlic production to date.
Monitoring
Monitoring with white sticky traps is useful to detect both onion maggot flies and onion thrips. With this information, control can be achieved with fewer sprays. Onion flies, however, cannot be properly identified without the use of a dissecting microscope and considerable expertise. Commercial scouting services are recommended for accurate identification.
Control
Cull piles should be removed to the dump or buried to prevent onion fly breeding and subsequent field infestation.
Caution: Do not spray headland areas where water may become contaminated. Sprays are most effective when applied in the morning (8 to 10 a.m.) or early evening (6 to 9 p.m.). Use sufficient water to thoroughly wet plants and soil. Try to achieve a very narrow band over the row. If maggots become bigger than 2 or 3 instars, a spray will not be effective but should control future emergence.
Use one of the products listed in the table below.
Product | Rate | PHI* | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Lorsban 4E / Lorsban NT / Nufos 4E(chloropyrifos)
Group 1B
Note: no longer produced
|
3.5 L/ha (1.4 L/acre) Apply in 1000 L/ha (405 L/acre) of water |
50 |
|
Pyrinex 480EC(chloropyrifos)
Group 1B
Note: no longer produced
|
3.5 L/ha (1.4 L/acre) Apply in 1000 L/ha (405 L/acre) of water |
50 |
|
*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF).
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF).
Very tiny (1 mm), black, brown or yellow insects cause silvering and speckling of leaves. If severe, yield may be affected.
Control
Use one of the products listed in the table below.
Product | Rate | PHI* | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Malathion 85E(malathion)
Group 1B |
535 to 1345 mL/ha
(215 to 545 mL/acre) Apply in 1000 L/ha (405 L/acre) of water
|
3 |
|
Matador 120EC(lambda-cyhalothrin)
Group 3
|
188 mL/ha (76 mL/acre) Apply in 500 L/ha (200 L/acre) of water |
14 |
|
Silencer 120EC(lambda-cyhalothrin)
Group 3
|
188 mL/ha (76 mL/acre) Apply in 500 L/ha (200 L/acre) of water |
14 |
|
Delegate WG(spinetoram)
Group 5 |
200 to 336 g/ha Apply in 300 to 500 L/ha (120 to 200 L/acre) of water |
3 |
|
Movento 240 SC(spirotetramat)
Group 23 |
365 mL/ha |
3 |
|
Entrust 80(spinosad)
Group 5
Used in organics
|
131 to 158 g/ha Apply in 300 to 500 L/ha (120 to 200 L/acre) of water. |
3 |
|
Entrust(spinosad)
Group 5
Used in organics
|
437 to 527 mL/ha (177 to 213 mL/acre) Apply in 300 to 500 L/ha (120 to 200 L/acre) of water. |
3 |
|
Success(spinosad)
Group 5
|
218 to 262 mL/ha Apply in 300 to 500 L/ha (120 to 200 L/acre) of water. |
3 |
|
Agri-Mek 1.9% EC(abamectin)
Group 6
|
600 to 1200 mL/ha Apply in 200 L/ha (80 L/acre) of water. |
30 |
|
Exirel(cyantraniliprole)
Group 28
|
1000 to 1500 mL/ha Apply in 200 L/ha (80 L/acre) of water |
1 |
|
*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF).
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF).
OMRI-USA = Organic Materials Review Institute of USA
Bulb mites are shiny, creamy white, bulbous-appearing mites that range in size from 0.5 to 1.0 mm long. They look like tiny pearls with legs. They are almost always associated with physical damage such as bruising or cutting. They can damage bulbs by penetrating the outer layer of tissue and allowing rotting organisms to enter. Numerous small, raised brown pustules or blisters are seen on the cloves under the skin and sometimes a white, spidery webbing.
Control
Fallow fields to allow the complete decomposition of organic matter. Rotate with non-onion crops. Hot water treatment of seed garlic before planting may reduce mite infestations. Do not use badly infested garlic for seed. Thorough sanitation of areas where bulbs have been stored is recommended.
Garlic Disease Management
Affected cloves fail to emerge in the spring or produce weak, stunted plants.
Control
Crack seed immediately before planting. Avoid damaging cloves. Dip cracked cloves for 30 minutes prior to planting in the following suspension:
Product | Rate | PHI* | Comments |
---|
*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF).
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF).
(Sclerotium cepivorum)
This disease has been identified in several garlic plantings in the Southern Interior and South Coast. Make every effort to obtain planting stock from a reliable, disease-free source.
This serious disease is now well established in the Southern Interior, Cloverdale and Burnaby onion-growing areas. Infected plants show yellowing and die-back of the leaf tips, progressing downward to the roots. Bulbs develop watery decay, eventually covered with white, fluffy, fungus growth dotted with masses of small black sclerotia.
Control
Once established in a field, white rot builds up whenever onion or garlic is grown. The sclerotia can persist in the soil for 10 years or more. Control is difficult and costly so utmost precautions should be taken to prevent spread into new fields. Avoid growing onions in fields known to be infested if at all possible. Wash down equipment in a safe area when moving from an infested to a clean field. Dispose of diseased onions, trash and containers in such a way as to minimize the chances of contaminating new areas.
Take steps to reduce the danger of flood waters carrying diseased onions and sclerotia from field to field. It is especially important to avoid contaminating clean land with infected transplants or sets which were grown on infested land. See Garlic Disease Management tables in this section.
Product | Rate | PHI* | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Serenade Opti(Bacillus subtilis)
Used in organics
|
1.7 to 2.5 kg/ha (690 to 1000 g/acre) |
0 |
|
Cueva(copper octanoate)
Group M1
Used in organics
|
Use a 0.5% to 2% solution at 470 to 940 L/ha (190 to 380 L/acre) | 1 |
|
Sercadis(fluxapyroxad)
Group 7
|
333 to 666 mL/ha (135 to 270 mL/acre) Apply in 100 L/ha (40 L/acre) of water |
7 |
|
Scala SC(pyrimethanil)
Group 9 |
2.0 L/ha (800 mL/acre) Apply in at least 300 L/ha (121 L/acre) of water |
7 |
|
Switch 62.5 WG(cyprodinil & fludioxonil)
Group 9 & 12 |
775 to 975 g/ha (314 to 395 g/acre) Apply in 200 L/ha (80 L/acre) of water |
7 |
|
Acapela(picoxystrobin) Group 11 |
0.6 to 0.88 L/ha Apply in 110 L/ha (45 L/ac) of water |
0 |
|
Allegro 500 F(fluazinam)
Group 29 |
1.16 L/ha (470 mL/acre) Apply in 100 L/ha (40 L/acre) |
7 |
|
*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF).
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF).
OMRI-Canada = Organic Materials Review Institute of Canada
Product | Rate | PHI* | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Serenade Opti(Bacillus subtilis)
Used in organics
|
1.7 to 2.5 kg/ha (690 to 1000 g/acre) |
0 |
|
Scala SC(pyrimethanil)
Group 9 |
2.0 L/ha (800 mL/acre) Apply in at least 300 L/ha (121 L/acre) of water |
7 |
|
Acapela(picoxystrobin) Group 11 |
0.44 to 0.88 L/ha Apply in 110 L/ha (45 L/ac) of water |
0 |
|
*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF).
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF).
Product | Rate | PHI* | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Switch 62.5 WG(cyprodinil & fludioxonil)
Group 9 & 12 |
775 to 975 g/ha (314 to 395 g/acre) Apply in 200 L/ha (80 L/acre) of water |
7 |
|
Acapela(picoxystrobin) Group 11 |
0.44 to 0.88 L/ha Apply in 110 L/ha (45 L/ac) of water |
0 |
|
Allegro 500 F(fluazinam)
Group 29 |
1.16 L/ha (470 mL/acre) Apply in 100 L/ha (40 L/acre) |
7 |
|
*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF).
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF).
Product | Rate | PHI* | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Aprovia(benzovindiflupyr)
Group 7 |
750 mL/ha (300 mL/acre) Apply in at least 150 to 600 L/ha (60 to 240 L/acre) of water |
7 |
|
*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF).
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF).
Product | Rate | PHI* | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Serenade Opti(Bacillus subtilis)
Used in organics
|
1.7 to 3.3 kg/ha (690 to 1300 g/acre) |
0 |
|
Cueva(copper octanoate)
Group M1
Used in organics
|
Use a 0.5% to 2% solution at 470 to 940 L/ha (190 to 380 L/acre) | 1 |
|
Pristine WG(boscalid & pyraclostrobin)
Group 7 & 11 |
1000 to 1300 g/ ha (400 to 520 g/acre) |
7 |
|
Quadris Top(azoxystrobin/ difenoconazole) Group 11 & 3 |
710 to 1000 mL/ha Apply in at least 150 L/ha (60 L/acre) of water. |
7 |
|
Cabrio EG(pyraclostrobin)
Group 11 |
560 to 840 g/ha (220 to 340 g/acre) Apply in at least 225 L/ha (90 L/acre) of water |
7 |
|
Reason 500SC(fenamidone)
Group 11 |
400 mL/ha (160 mL/acre) |
7 |
|
Torrent 400SC(cyazofamid) Group 21 |
0.20 L/ha (80 mL/acre)
Apply in 200 to 600 L/ha (80 to 240 L/acre) of water.
|
0 |
|
Revus(mandipropamid)Group 40 |
400 to 600 mL/ha Apply in 100 L/ha (40L/acre) of water |
7 |
|
Acrobat 50 WP(dimethomorph)
Group 40
Note: no longer produced.
|
450 g/ha Apply in 200 L/ha (80 L/acre) of water. |
0 |
|
Forum(dimethomorph) Group 40 |
450 mL/ha (182 mL/acre) Apply in 200 L/ha (80 L/acre) of water. |
0 |
|
Phostrol(mono- and dibasic sodium, potassium, and ammonium phosphites)
Group 33
|
2.9 to 4.3 L/ha (1.2 to 1.7 L/acre)
Apply in 225 L/ha (90 L/acre) of water
|
0 |
|
Zampro(ametoctradin & dimethomorph) Group 40 & 45 |
1.0 L/ha (400 mL /acre) Apply in 200 L/ha (80 L/acre) of water. |
0 |
|
Orondis(oxathiapiprolin) Group 49 |
88 to 350 mL/ha (35 to 140 mL/acre Apply in 110 L/ha (45 L/acre) of water. |
0 |
|
*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF).
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF).
OMRI-Canada = Organic Materials Review Institute of Canada
Product | Rate | PHI* | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Aprovia(benzovindiflupyr)
Group 7 |
750 mL/ha (300 mL/acre) Apply in 150 to 600 L/ha (60 to 240 L/acre) of water |
7 |
|
*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF).
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF).