The garlic plant consists of the bulb, the leafed stalk, and the leafless flower stem called the scape. Garlic flowers are sterile and produce small cloves, called bulbils, instead of seeds. Garlic bulbs consist of four to twenty separate fleshy sections called cloves, each wrapped in a papery skin called the tunic.

While the entire plant is edible, the most recognizable part of the garlic plant is the bulb. Individual cloves are peeled, eaten raw, dehydrated, or cooked. Growers can harvest immature garlic as green garlic and use it in the same way as scallions.

Garlic farming is a profitable venture. Its demand does well between May and October when a kilo costs up to KSH. 400 while demand gets stable from December to January selling at KSH. 200. To have a plentiful harvest, you must be equipped with proper knowledge of the favorable local varieties.

PROPAGATION AND GARLIC PRODUCTION

SEEDS

Garlic growing uses seed cloves; hence, as an aspiring garlic grower, you must procure certified garlic seeds that have fully matured cloves and are free from any diseases. Garlic does not produce true seed but propagation is by planting cloves, which are the small bulbs or segments making up the garlic bulb. Each bulb usually contains a dozen or more cloves; each clove is planted separately.

 Select only larger outer cloves of the best garlic bulbs for planting. The larger cloves yield larger size, mature bulbs at harvest. Do not divide the bulb until ready to plant; early separation decreases yields. Select “seed bulbs” that are large, smooth, fresh, and free from disease. In addition, the clove should be intact to prevent rotting when planted.

Varieties of Garlic

Three main varieties of garlic grown in Kenya are,

Soft-neck garlic is the standard variety grown in Kenya. It is white with a paper-like skin. This is the simplest form of garlic to grow. For this reason, it is common in the Kenyan market. This type produces fewer but larger cloves on each head. It is also robust and sweet with a pungent smell. Varieties of soft-neck garlic include California Early, California Late, and Creole.

Elephant garlic features a large head composed of huge cloves. You will find this type in grocery stores. Adding elephant garlic to your meals gives you a subtle flavor and a mild odor. 

Hard-neck garlic has a strong taste and sweet, pungent odor. You will notice larger and fewer cloves on each head. Its skin is easy and ready to remove. It is not usually preferred for the Kenyan market because it is easily perishable.   

SOIL REQUIREMENTS AND FERTILITY

Garlic grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. In addition, garlic grows best on friable (crumbly), loamy soils that are fertile and have some organic matter. The soil must be evenly moist, as dry soil will cause irregularly shaped bulbs. Heavy clay soils will also create misshaped bulbs and make harvesting difficult. Add organic matter, such as well-rotted manure or compost, to the soil every year to keep it friable. Garlic bulbs will be small if the soil is excessively dry and irregular in shape if the soil becomes compacted.

Prior to planting, soils should be well-tilled to provide a loose soil bed for bulb growth. Garlic grows best on well-drained soils with added organic matter. Sandy loam or loam soils have the ideal texture for growing garlic. However, with the addition of organic matter, clay soils will produce garlic quite well. In addition, a green manure crop tilled a few weeks before planting is recommended to improve the soil's physical properties. Well-decomposed manure can be applied but the PH levels and liming should be done. This is not to burn the cloves and aid in bigger clove production.

PLANTING AND SPACING

For optimum yield, mix the soil with organic manure before plowing as this will facilitate improved bulb formation. During planting, select the best cloves and separate them with a spacing of 30 cm between the rows and 15 cm or 6 inches from each plant.

Using a farm hoe create a long, narrow trench 20-25 cm deep depending on the soil fineness. Sow single garlic with its roots down, and its point facing up the hoe. Cover the clove with loose and airy soils. Rerun the process until all seeds have been planted 6 inches apart from each other. Ensure the next row of seeds is 2 feet/60 cm apart from the first one.

In colder areas of the state, cloves may be planted slightly deeper for winter protection. Mulching will help protect bulbs from severe cold and will help conserve moisture. Irrigate immediately after planting.

WATERING

Garlic requires an even, consistent supply of water. However, too much will cause “wet feet” and may cause bulb rots to occur. Garlic is planted at one of the driest times of the year. Thorough watering at planting time is needed to establish the planting. In spring, keep garlic growing actively. According to the rainfall, garlic may need extra moisture in spring and early summer.

Research in California has shown that water stress during clove development has been implicated in witch-brooming and small cloves.

Do not irrigate garlic once the tops begin to fall and become dry. April and May is a critical period for diseases. Exercise care in disease control and irrigation. Water early in the day so garlic can be dry by nightfall, thereby reducing the chance of disease. Soil type does not affect the amount of total water needed but does dictate the frequency of water application.

 Lighter soils need more frequent water applications but less water applied per application. The heavier soils need fewer applications but more water per application. The same general rule applies to garlic as to other garden plants — 1 inch per week of water with good drainage.

CLIMATIC CONDITION

It performs well in medium to high altitudes of 500-200m. It requires high temperatures of 30ºC to aid in proper bulb development. In addition, ideal temperatures for growing garlic ranges between 12-24ºC. During the preliminary stages, cooler temperatures are preferred as they assist in the vegetative growth needed for plant establishment.

WEED MANAGEMENT

Weed control is essential for the proper development of garlic plants. Garlic has a very shallow root system. Like onions, it does not compete with weeds very well. Cultivation, hand-picking, and hoeing are the only viable alternatives for weed control. Cultivation should be very shallow to prevent root damage. Mulch is another viable weed control option. Apply mulch after the garlic has emerged. Prior to emergence, weed control should be by hand.

HARVEST AND POST-HARVEST

Different varieties mature at different times. Always pay attention to the soil moisture levels when the foliage begins to turn brown to help determine when it is time to harvest. When harvesting, care should be taken not to damage the bulbs or scrap them as that may lead to rotting and poor yields.

 After harvesting garlic, it should be dried in a well-ventilated room for about three to four weeks. The bulbs are then graded for the market. Garlic should be stored at relative humidity and at room temperature to prevent rooting and sprouting. Properly cured garlic may last for six to twelve months if stored in optimal conditions away from moisture.

CHALLENGES

1. The biggest is the high cost of farm inputs such as fungicides, pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers to get rid of pests and diseases like worms, nematodes, leaf minors, rust, and thrips.
   1. Finding good quality seeds is not as easy, and when you find such seed cloves, they are quite expensive.
   1. During harvest bulbs are easily destroyed which leads them to rot leading to poor yields.
   1. Lack of proper storage methods