How to Care for Winter Garlic: Secrets of Trimming Arrows

Winter garlic is a healthy and aromatic vegetable that many gardeners grow.

However, to get a good harvest of large and juicy heads, you need to properly care for the plant.

One of the important procedures is cutting off the arrows of garlic. What is it, why is it necessary and how to do it - read in the article, Anastasia Kovrizhnykh tells.

What are garlic arrows?

The scapes of garlic are the tops of the stems on which flowers and seeds are formed.

They appear on winter garlic in late spring or early summer. The scapes have a thick, hard texture that is different from the soft, thin leaves.

Why trim garlic stalks

Trimming the garlic shoots is necessary in order to direct the plant's energy to the formation of heads, and not to flowering and seeds.

The shoots take away nutrients, water and light from the garlic, causing the heads to become smaller and drier. In addition, the shoots make it difficult for the plant to ventilate and promote the development of diseases and pests.

How and when to trim garlic shoots

You need to trim the garlic shoots in a timely manner and carefully so as not to damage the plant. Here are some tips for this procedure:

• Cut the shoots when they have not yet straightened out and have not grown higher than 10-15 cm. If you are late, the garlic will have already lost some of its strength and will not have time to form good heads.
• Trim the stems with a sharp knife or pruning shears, leaving 1-2 cm from the base. Do not tear or break the stems to avoid damaging the stem and causing rotting.
• Treat the cut area with ash or charcoal to prevent infection or fungus.
• Do not throw away the trimmed shoots, but use them in cooking or canning. Garlic shoots have a pleasant aroma and taste, as well as useful properties.

By following these recommendations, you will be able to trim the arrows of winter garlic correctly and when necessary, and get an excellent harvest of high-quality and tasty heads.

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