What an amazing plant! Garlic (Allium sativum) has been around for more than 3,000 years. It's not that surprising really when you look at the culinary and medicinal purposes it boasts. Garlic is not only a staple in the kitchen, but its health benefits are outstanding as it is a natural antibiotic and has antiseptic properties. In the organic garden it is often used as the base for various insect deterrents and it also has antifungal properties. Garlic is also a very useful companion plant.

Growing Garlic - Step by Step

1. Choosing the Position. Grow garlic in an open, sunny position. As a companion plant it can get a little lost amongst larger, leafy plants - especially if the stems suddenly die back. Grow garlic as a companion plant, but also have a plot of its own so that you can be sure you'll have enough to last you the season. A plot about 1m square is big enough to grow about 60 bulbs.

2. Soil Type. Because garlic is a bulb it needs a well drained soil or it will just rot under the ground as the bulb is forming. Soil that is friable with plenty of organic matter is the best. Don't add fresh manures as they are usually high in nitrogen, which will encourage foliage rather than the development of bulbs. Dig in blood and bone prior to planting or top dress with compost. If your soil is a heavy clay, use raised beds or you can even grow them in pots.

3. Planting Time. Garlic needs to be planted in autumn (fall) and harvested in summer. Planting time depends a little on your particular climate. The hotter the autumn temperatures, the later the planting. If you live in a sub-tropical climate, it may be best to leave it til winter.

Garlic grows in two stages. The roots and foliage grow through autumn and winter. Then in the warmer weather the bulbs begin to develop. By summer the bulbs have grown to a good size and the foliage will start to wither.

4. Choosing your Corms. Each garlic bulb is made up of corms. You pull the corms away from the bulb to plant. These will become your new garlic bulbs. You may have to buy commercial garlic bulbs to start out with unless you know someone who grows organically who is willing to give (sell or swap) you your starting bulbs.

Garlic from the supermarket or fruit and veg shops may have been sprayed with

chemicals to stop them shooting. Some garlic is imported and may have a different

growing season, so will fail. After a few years you will have enough stock to have

supplies for the kitchen and for next seasons crop.

5. How to Plant. Pull away all of the corms from the parent bulb. Each bulb will have between 15 and 20 corms. Gently push each corm into the soil, just below the soil, with the flat base at the bottom and the pointed tip facing upwards. Allow about 10cm / 4inches between corms and 30cm / 12inches between rows.

If some corms pop out of the soil after a week or so it means that the roots are growing.

Just gently push them back below the soil surface and mulch with straw.

Look for my next article, Part 2, on maintenance, harvesting and uses for garlic.