Garlic (Allium sativum) has been used for centuries for both cooking and medicinal purposes. Known as the 'stinking rose' and Russian penicillin, its medicinal purposes have been documented for centuries and have always been a popular remedy for colds, coughs, and sore throats. Garlic was used in World War I and World War II to cure many diseases and because it is a potent antiseptic. Garlic is universally known for its health benefits. It is an excellent source of phytochemicals and contains vitamins A, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), C, iron, phosphorous, sulphur compounds, and calcium. Medical studies have shown that it lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol and hypertension, prevents some cancerous tumours, protects against bacterial and fungal infections, and is good for the blood and heart. It is useful as an expectorant in respiratory ailments, eliminates toxic metals, and supports the immune system. Garlic may prove to be useful for diabetics, as it seems to regulate blood sugar levels.
As a culinary spice, the Indians, Egyptians, and Europeans have appreciated garlic for thousands of years, and most notably the Italians and Chinese who have made extensive use of this much-loved plant. There are records of garlic use dating back 3,000 years and botanists believe that garlic probably originated in central Asia thousands of years ago. In North America, early colonists discovered that the First Nations people were using a native species of garlic to treat a variety of medical problems including snakebite and intestinal worms.
Garlic is a moderately hardy herbaceous (herbaceous means a plant that lacks woody tissue and dies to the ground at the end of the growing season) perennial. It grows from 2-3 feet (0.6-1m) tall and has flat, long, pointed green leaves extending from the base. The young leaves grow 2 feet (0.6 m) tall and have a delicate chive-like flavour. Garlic has erect, hollow, green stalks that support pink or whitish flowering clusters or bulbils that appear in mid-summer. The leaves are organised into segments called cloves and may have anywhere from 4?15 cloves in a bulb. Garlic does best in rich, well-drained, highly organic soils, prefers full sun, although it will grow in partial shade. Avoid over-watering or the bulbs will rot. Garlic has white energy for chromotherapy purposes.
Garlic is available throughout the year but it is easy to grow your own. To plant, separate cloves from the head and plant cloves with the pointed end up. Garlic can be planted in early spring or late fall. It is best to plant cloves or bulbils available from nurseries or garden catalogues as store bought garlic is often sprayed with a sprout and root inhibitor that confuses its natural growth cycle. Fall plantings produce the best yields, as garlic needs a long growing period and a cool period below 10° C (50° F) for two months. If over-wintering in zones 3 or 4, plant cloves at least 3 inches (8 cm) deep and mulch with leaves or straw; otherwise plant bulbs 2 inches (5 cm) deep and 6 inches (15 cm) apart. (In the winter, I plant store-bought garlic in pots and snip the leaves to impart a fresh garlic flavour to salads and soups.) Garlic is generally pest and disease free.
Harvest garlic when the leaves die back and begin to turn brown and collapse. Pull up the mature plants and dry in the sun for a week; then trim or braid the stalks and hang the garlic braids in the shade to dry further. To store, keep in a dry, dark place with good air circulation. Garlic will keep for up to 6 months if stored in temperatures no higher than 0° C (32° F). Leaves, bulbs, and bulbils may all be eaten.
In the garden, garlic helps protect plants from fungus and pests. Scientists at New Castle University have shown that a barrier of garlic oil is an effective slug and snail repellent. Planted near roses, it aids in fighting black spot. Garlic spray is used to discourage many insects and combats various blights found on vegetables and flowers. To make garlic spray, mince garlic and add water. Some people add a few drops of vegetable oil to the spray to make it cling to flowers and foliage. Garlic spray is a non-toxic alternative to using harmful chemicals in the garden.
In the kitchen, garlic can be used fresh, dried, or powdered. Fresh is best. To peel, place the garlic cloves on the work surface and whack with the flat edge of a knife. The garlic will crack out of the skin making it easier to peel. You can also put the garlic in boiling water for 30 seconds, drain, and then peel when cool. Crush with the flat edge of a knife and slice or chop as necessary. Garlic can be used to enhance the flavour of seafood, salad dressings, stews, casseroles, vegetables, soups, meat dishes, pasta, vegetables, and poultry. When roasting meat, make slits in the meat, sliver garlic, and stuff into the slits. Roast the meat as usual. Roasting or baking garlic mellows the taste. To eliminate garlic breath, chew the traditional breath fresheners: parsley, fenugreek, or fennel.
Gwen Nyhus Stewart, B.S.W., M.G., H.T., is an educator, freelance writer, garden consultant, and author of the book The Healing Garden: A Place Of Peace ? Gardening For The Soil, Gardening For The Soul. She owns the website Gwen's Healing Garden where you will find lots of free information about gardening for the soil and gardening for the soul. To find out more about the book and subscribe to her free Newsletter visit http://www.gwenshealinggarden.ca
Gwen Nyhus Stewart © 2004 ? 2005. All rights reserved.
Every lawn, whether new or established, is susceptible to a... Read More
THE BASICS OF HYDROPONICS.An Introduction To Indoor Plant Grow Lights.There... Read More
In years past, serious rosarians would never consider having a... Read More
It is unavoidable, Fall is coming and we like to... Read More
For best health, it is important to keep your environment... Read More
The ancient herb, Anethum graveolens or Fernleaf dill as it... Read More
The shade garden can be exploding with color and texture.... Read More
Well, another week is passing us by.I want to thank... Read More
Flower gardens are for enjoyment. They provide you with visual... Read More
Seeds are the most important ingredient in all gardening. Without... Read More
In the previous article I discussed design for your new... Read More
Planting roses isn't actually complicated, as long as you have... Read More
You'll often hear garden writers recommending the use of Epsom... Read More
Blue flowers are some of the most striking plants around... Read More
There are many reasons for creating an indoor garden ?... Read More
Visualize watching a bright green hummingbird in your garden moving... Read More
Every gardener riding a lawn tractor should be concerned about... Read More
All your hard work has paid off, and now you... Read More
Whenever you decide to look for a butterfly house for... Read More
Whether you call them Hydrangea Macrophylla, House Hydrangea, French Hydrangea,,... Read More
Think of cyclamen and the chances are that Mothers Day... Read More
There are literally hundreds of types of roses that you... Read More
Imagine that you want to stay warm in your backyard... Read More
Whether you live in a tiny city apartment or on... Read More
One of the best ways to bring together the many... Read More
What is more beautiful than seeing a home or building... Read More
Naturalized bulbs look beautiful in a wooded setting. You can... Read More
Now that Spring is upon us and things are coming... Read More
Recently I got involved with gardening. Preior to that, all... Read More
When planting a garden there are many questions which you... Read More
The tomato is the most commonly grown vegetable in the... Read More
I should know: I've been a sculptor most of my... Read More
In addition to the traditional strawberry patch, there are as... Read More
Imagine a beautiful pattern of paving stones as the central... Read More
Okay, so you have spent hours upon hours creating the... Read More
While traveling the US and occasionally taking the back highways... Read More
No matter how pleasant a garden is, it is not... Read More
Roses are one of natures most beautiful and splendid gifts.... Read More
There are many different types of roses. If you are... Read More
Fresh flowers should feel crisp or firm. Before you buy,... Read More
The number one, most asked question that I receive about... Read More
A water garden is the area of your landscape that... Read More
Do pests 'gopher' your lawn? Chances are, if you have... Read More
You've put a lot of work into your garden, from... Read More
With an average lifespan of 75 years, teak wood has... Read More
If you have never grown vegetables before the first thing... Read More
Greenhouses are a great addition to anyone's garden. They come... Read More
Love flowers, but don't have the space -- or the... Read More
The metabolism of koi and goldfish is controlled primarily by... Read More
Indoors or out, you'll find miniature roses very easy to... Read More
Are you one of those home gardeners that don't know... Read More
It is unavoidable, Fall is coming and we like to... Read More
If you're not familiar with push reel mowers or if... Read More
Planting times for vegetables and other annual plants vary from... Read More
Whether you call them Hydrangea Macrophylla, House Hydrangea, French Hydrangea,,... Read More
The design of your garden has an amazing affect on... Read More
The technique of pruning varies with the type of rose... Read More
Hydroponics gardening is a great idea for anyone who wants... Read More
What is the first thought that comes through your mind... Read More
One winter evening I was working on the computer when... Read More
Doing a full pond cleaning during the colder winter months... Read More
Today there are sprays, scented candles, plug-ins, and even discs... Read More
Scents from the rose garden filling the air as you... Read More
Throughout the course of time, black roses have conjured... Read More
Palm family is unique in the aspect that most of... Read More
If you were to travel to Blue Mountain Lake, New... Read More
Landscaping & Gardening |