Garlic
Garlic probably originates from central and southwestern Asia. It is now found in most countries and climates, with highest production in China and India. It is a plant in the onions family and is close related to the onion, shallot, leek and chive. Garlic is usually used as a condiment in food, in combination with other vegetables or meats. Sometimes it is used for medical purposes; it has been shown to have antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. It is used as a home remedy to treat warts and corns.
Names
Scientific
Allium sativum
English
Garlic
Dutch
Knoflook
Spanish
Ajo
French
Ail
German
Knoblauch
Italian
Aglio
Taxonomy
Genus
Allium
Family
Alliaceae
Order
Asparagales
Basic information and facts
Origin:
Probably originates from central and southwestern Asia.
Distribution:
Found in most countries and climates. Highest production is in China and India.
Annual, biennial, or perennial:
It is a perennial plant, but usually grown as an annual.
Flowers:
Leaves:
Bulbs:
The creamy white bulb of garlic cloves is found underground. The bulb is composed of 4 to 60 cloves. Usually the bulb has a diameter between 4 and 7 centimeters.
Climate and weather:
It can be grown year-round in mild climates, but can also be grown in warmer tropical climates during the cooler season.
Spacing (close range)
Spacing (wide range)
Propagation:
Usually propagated by planting individual cloves (pointed-side-up) in the soil. It can also be grown from seed.
Insect pests:
Diseases:
Nematodes:
Harvesting:
Uses:
Usually used as a herb, or a seasoning for food dishes.
In gardening, it is sometimes used as an intercrop to keep pests away from other plants.
Proverbs and Quotes
- Shallots are for babies; Onions are for men; garlic is for heroes.
- Garlic is as good as ten mothers. (Indian proverb)
- One must be very suspicious of anyone who does not eat garlic.
- Garlic is not only a flavor, it is the secret of happiness.
- I speak of garlic, you reply about onions.
- The mortar always smells of garlic. (Italian proverb)
- No matter if you eat a little or a lot of garlic, the smell is just as strong.
- Heart with pepper, soul with garlic. (Russian proverb)
- The garlic said to the onion: ‘you stink’.
- England and the English. As a rule they will refuse even to sample a foreign dish, they regard such things as garlic and olive oil with disgust, life is unlivable to them unless they have tea and puddings. (George Orwell)
- There is no such thing as a little garlic. (Arthur Baer)
- Garlick maketh a man wynke, drynke, and stynke. (Thomas Nash)
- What garlic is to salad, insanity is to art. (Augustus Saint-Gaudens)
- There are five elements: earth, air, fire, water and garlic. (Louis Diat)
- Tomatoes and oregano make it Italian; wine and tarragon make it French. Sour cream makes it Russian; lemon and cinnamon make it Greek. Soy sauce makes it Chinese; garlic makes it good. (Alice May Brock)
- Without garlic I simply would not care to live. (Louis Diat)
- Do not eat garlic or onions; for their smell will reveal that you are a peasant. (Cervantes, in: Don Quixote)
Did you know that?
- Garlic can be used to remove warts.
- In the past, people used to believe that garlic can be used as a protection against werewolves and vampires.
- The bad smell of garlic (garlic breath) can be avoided by eating fresh parsley.
Crop categories
Vegetables
Bulb vegetables
Spices
Medicinal plants
Food crops
Pictures
Garlic
Garlic
Garlic in market