Sure, here’s an article on sowing time for potato and garlic crops:
Planting vegetables is a great way to make use of your backyard and grow fresh produce for your family. Two popular vegetables that are staples in many dishes are potatoes and garlic. Knowing the appropriate time to sow them is crucial for a successful harvest.
Potatoes are usually planted in the early spring, around two to three weeks before the last expected frost. This allows the potato to grow properly, as they prefer cooler soil temperatures. Once soil temperatures reach above 60°F, the tubers will begin to sprout and push through the soil. This can cause damage to their delicate roots and result in fewer tubers at harvest time. Planting too early can cause the tubers to rot before they have the chance to grow, so it’s important to pay attention to the weather and soil temperature.
To plant potatoes, dig a trench about four inches deep and 12 inches wide. Place the seed potatoes in the trench, cut side down about a foot apart from each other. Cover the potato with about two to three inches of soil and water it thoroughly. As the plant begins to grow, you may add in more soil around the stems to ensure the tubers are covered.
Garlic, on the other hand, is usually planted in the fall. This is known as “overwintering” and allows the clove to properly establish roots before the winter season. The goal is to get the garlic bulbs to start producing foliage before winter sets in. The foliage growth will slow down or stop entirely during winter, and then resume in the early spring. By late spring/early summer, the garlic will be ready for harvest.
To plant garlic, separate the cloves from the bulb and plant them two inches deep in fertile, well-drained soil. Space each clove about six inches apart, with the pointy side facing up. Water the soil immediately after planting, and then again in a few days. Once planted, you can cover the soil with a layer of mulch to help retain moisture and protect the cloves from frost.
In summary, the proper sowing time for potatoes and garlic are dependent on the season and weather conditions. Potato planting usually happens in the early spring, while garlic sowing takes place in the fall, before the first frost. Choosing the right time to sow will ensure a healthy and bountiful harvest for your vegetable garden.