What are the key points of garlic sprout cultivation techniques?

Garlic sprouts are the young green shoots of garlic that have developed to a certain stage. They grow in farm fields, have the pungent, spicy flavor of garlic, and are eaten for their tender garlic leaves and leaf sheaths. So, what are the garlic sprout cultivation techniques?

1. Seed selection and soaking

To grow garlic sprouts, select excellent early-maturing multi-clove garlic varieties. Before planting, separate the garlic bulb into cloves and grade them into three sizes: large, medium, and small. Soak the separated garlic cloves in well water for 12 hours before sowing.

2. Land selection and preparation

Garlic has a short growth period, so density must be increased to raise yields. Therefore, apply sufficient base fertilizer: 3500 kg of high-quality decomposed barnyard manure and about 30 kg of superphosphate per mu. Sandy loam soil is preferable. One week before sowing, plow and prepare the land, then after bleaching and raking it fine, apply fertilizer, make beds, and sow.

3. Sowing

Garlic has a short growth period and the plants are relatively short, so density can be increased to raise yields. Generally, about 200 kg of garlic seed is used per mu. When planting, open furrows at a row spacing of 10-12 cm and sow at a plant spacing of 3-5 cm. Water thoroughly before sowing, then cover with soil after sowing, just enough to cover the seed. After sowing, cover the bed surface with 3 cm of rice straw to help lower the temperature, and water every day until the seedlings emerge evenly. Watering should be done before 9 a.m.

4. Field management

Build a 30 cm frame over the bed surface and cover it with a shade net or straw curtain for shading. Remove the shade frame after the seedlings emerge evenly. After the garlic seedlings emerge evenly, carry out the first topdressing, which can be applied with urea or dilute human and livestock manure water. In short, follow the principle of light fertilizer applied frequently. At harvest, apply fertilizer once after each harvest.

5. Harvesting

About 50 days after sowing, fresh tender garlic sprouts can be harvested in successive batches for market. To extend the supply period and increase yields, harvest every other plant and market in batches.

Garlic sprouts have a short growth period and grow vigorously at maturity, so they need to be harvested in time to avoid excessive growth affecting quality.