Question 1

How many bulbs are there in a kilo of garlic?

Accepted Answer

This is never a definite number since not all bulbs are the same size but the following is a reasonable approximation.  RojoOur Rojo garlic bulbs vary between 25 grams and 70 grams with the majority in the 40-60 gram range. We like to supply a range of sizes in each kilo ordered so most orders will have between 18 and 28 bulbs per kilo. Purple StripeOur Purple Stripe garlic bulbs vary between 25 grams and 90 grams with the majority in the 40-70 gram range. We like to supply a range of sizes in each kilo ordered so most orders will have between 15 and 25 bulbs per kilo.

Question 2

How many cloves are in a bulb?

Accepted Answer

This variers between varieties as well as bulb size. RojoRojo garlic bulbs typically have 14-16 cloves in a large bulbs and 10-13 cloves in the smaller bulbs. Purple StripePurple Stripe cloves are generally larger so typically have 10-12 in the large bulbs and 8-10 in the small bulbs.

Question 3

How many cloves in half a kilo of loose Rojo?

Accepted Answer

Typically you should expect to get between 130 and 150 cloves in one kilo of loose Rojo garlic.

Question 4

When is the best time to plant garlic?

Accepted Answer

This depends on where you live. For us in Margaret River, planting starts in late May or early June.Basically you want to plant into moist soil and before your garlic has sprouted too much. Purple Stripe will typically start sprouting just before Winter so you need to get them in the ground as soon as you see the green shoots.Rojo garlic is much more forgiving and does not generally show green shoots. In our experience you can plant Rojo garlic as early as the last weeks in May or as late as the last weeks in July.

Question 5

How should I prepare the soil for growing garlic?

Accepted Answer

Garlic likes fertile well drained soil and no competition so lots of organic matter and nice loose soil. We fertilise with a good layer of pelletised chicken manure worked into the top 100mm of soil a few weeks before planting. Allow the soil to be moistened by the first Winter rains, plant and then cover with a good layer of straw. After that it is weeding, weeding weeding. Garlic hates competition so make sure the weeds are kept to a minimum. Remember that the garlic needs to be kept moist (but not wet) until a few weeks before harvest so plan to start watering as soon as the Winter rains begin to tail off.

Question 6

When do I harvest my garlic?

Accepted Answer

This is a tricky one in our increasingly hot climate. The general rule of thumb has been to harvest when the lower three or four leaves have gone brown.  Unfortunately, when the weather changes from 15 degrees and rainy to 30 degrees and bone dry in a matter of days most garlic plants will immediately start to brown off on the bottom leaves - even though the plant may be weeks from harvest. I have found that the only reliable method is to scrape away the soil at the base of a few plants, being careful not to disturb the roots. By doing this you can gauge how large the bulbs are and then begin harvest when the bulbs look like they are as big as they are going to get.

Question 7

How should I store my garlic?

Accepted Answer

Garlic is best stored in a cool (not cold), dry and well ventilated environment. Choose a container that has ventilated sides (like a cane bowl) and store them on a low shelf in the pantry. If you don't have a pantry then find a place that does not get humid, does not get sun and has a reasonably constant, cool temperature. Do not store your garlic in the fridge. Garlic hates humidity.

Frequently asked questions