Written by Charlotte West
Garlic has always been a health booster. Did you know that, when fed to chickens, mice, and rabbits, garlic has been proven to improve their overall health and coat? A garlic emulsion is even effective in warding off mosquitoes. But aside from its medicinal use, garlic is a savory addition to many dishes. So why not grow your own?
Organically grown garlic is the best, because the active principle of garlic is allicin, a complex mixture that is mainly allyl sulfides. These are produced by an active enzyme in the bulb, and their activeness and effectiveness are dependent upon the presence of sulphur. Sulfur is produced in the soil by a number of tiny microorganisms—mainly, certain tiny fungi that are unable to grow without humus. Organic garlic is the best because most chemical fertilizers do not allow enough humus to grow in order to support the fungi needed for the cycle of sulfur.
Garlic is rather forgiving. Even though it thrives with regular watering, it will weather a drought or a flood and be just fine. Its bulbs add unmistakable beauty to your yard or garden along a walkway or against a fence line.
Growing garlic in a circle around fruit trees is good protection against borers. And it’s beneficial to plant garlic near roses to ward off various pests. And for all you farmers out there, if you want to help keep weevils out of your grain, throw in some garlic cloves when it’s time to store the grain.
And here is a helpful tidbit: soak 3 to 4 ounces of garlic bulbs in 2 tablespoons of mineral oil for about 24 hours, then add a pint of water with one teaspoon of fish emulsion. Stir well. Strain the liquid, and store it in a glass container (do not use a metal container). Further dilute this to 1 part solution, 20 parts water, and you have created what is in my opinion one of the most effective organic insecticides. It’s hands down the best alternative to chemical insecticides. Rodents and lagomorphs will even stay away from your garden, as they dislike the smell of the fish emulsion. And it is amazing for controlling blight in your tomatoes.
So, I encourage you to plant garlic somewhere, anywhere. You can’t go wrong.
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