Garlic is an important plant to grow because it is so good for the body! It is also easy to grow at home. Including garlic in one’s daily life adds many benefits. However, the majority of the garlic that is sold in the US is grown in China. Although it is categorized as organic, it is still grown in a non-conscious manner. The pollution is so awful in China that there is toxicity seeping into the food supply and there have been high levels of heavy metals detected in most foods grown there. To grow this medicinal root, plant it in the spring or fall. The bigger the garlic cloves that are planed, the bigger the garlic bulbs produced.
How to grow garlic
To grow garlic, plant the cloves of each bulb. Each clove makes an entire new bulb. The largest cloves usually make the largest garlic bulbs. Place the cloves in a hole in the dirt with root end down and cover with soil. Make sure the area gets sun. A shoot will sprout and usually five leaves will grow. Be sure to water an inch or so a week. When half of the leaves turn yellow it is time to harvest the garlic. Carefully dig up each bulb; do not pull as it might break from the stalk.
Garlic can be planted throughout the garden as it helps deter unwanted garden pests, such as aphids. Garlic accumulates sulfur, a naturally occurring fungicide that helps protects plants from diseases. Garlic can be planted with all fruit trees, peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, kale, broccoli and cauliflower.
The benefits of garlic
• Fights inflammation
• Boosts the immune system
• Improves heart health
• Helps to detox
• Fights cancer
• Repels insects
• Helps body fight infections
• Soothes sore throat
• Helps cough
• Clears nasal congestion
By Alex Du Toit
(Source: naturalnews.com; June 12, 2015; http://tinyurl.com/onz58a6)
