What You Need to Know about Growing Society Garlic
If you are looking for an easy to grow plant for your edible landscaping, then society garlic is a great option for you. But before you start buying plants and bringing them home to your garden, there are a few things you will want to consider.
What Is Society Garlic
Society Garlic is a type of a clump-forming herbaceous perennial plant that is cultivated for its edible bulbs. The plants are not related to garlic or onions. It is similar to “wild garlic” but with a milder garlic flavor. When the plants flower, they produce a tall flowering stalk that can get up to five feet in height.
The flowers bloom in late spring to early summer. The individual plants are clump forming and usually do not spread out of the original planting area. Once the plants are established, you will want to divide them every three to four years so they do not become overcrowded.
The plant can grow in a wide range of conditions and is generally considered as an easy plant to grow. It grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet, making it a perfect plant for mass planting in your edible garden. The bright white flowers make it a beautiful ornamental plant.
Society garlic is a lovely addition to your herb garden. It is a tender perennial that is native to Eastern South Africa. It is also known as pink agapanthus, pink garlic, and fair lady. These lovely bulbs offer a sweet spicy taste to a wide variety of dishes.
How to Grow Society Garlic
Society Garlic thrives best in full sun with a well-drained soil. Since it grows in a clump, you need to plant them 18 to 24 inches apart. It is a drought tolerant plant and does not need a lot of water to grow. The maintenance for this tender perennial is in USDA gardening zones 7 to 10.
The seeds of society garlic are best to be sown in spring after the last frost. The seeds should be placed about 1/8 inch deep in the soil and kept moist until germination. Once the seedlings are about 2 to 3 inches tall, transplant them to their permanent location.
How to Properly Care for Society Garlic
To get the best results from society garlic, make sure to consider the following factors to properly care for society garlic.
Soil
Society garlic needs a well-drained soil. It will grow well in sandy and loamy soil with a pH of 6.8 to 7.5. The soil should be kept evenly moist, not too dry and not too wet. If the soil is kept too moist, the leaves start to turn yellow and fall off. If the soil is kept too dry, the leaves will turn brown.
Light
You can plant society garlic in full sun to partial shade. They do well in an area that does not get a lot of hot afternoon sun. If you plant them in an area that gets full sun most of the day, you risk the chance of getting sun scald, which causes brown spots on the leaves.
Fertilizer
Organic compost or a general fertilizer is recommended for growing society garlic and added at least once a year in early spring.
Water
Society garlic needs to be watered in a regular manner. It does not need a lot of water to grow but will not grow in an area that is too dry. If the soil is kept consistently moist, this plant does not need a lot of care. The plant blooms and forms seed pods well when
Temperature and Humidity
Society garlic is a perennial plant that can survive in various weather conditions, including cold weather. In fact, society garlic has been shown to grow even in areas where the temperature rarely goes above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and below freezing.
Pests and Diseases
Society garlic is not very susceptible to pests and diseases. It is a healthy hardy plant that can withstand many infestations. If you do have problems with pests or diseases, you can use a pesticide or fungicide or insecticidal soap to stop pest infestations.
Conclusion
Growing and caring for society garlic is a lot easier than you think. Although it is not hard to grow, your success depends on a few factors such as the soil, location, and water. This lovely fragrant herb is a great addition to your garden and is a perfect plant to use in your edible landscaping.
Blossom & Broom provides growing edible garden tips and seasonal plant lists to help you create a beautiful space for you and your family to enjoy. Let us help you grow your own food with confidence and start planting society garlic to your edible herb garden. Check out our latest blogs today!
