Known as one of the easy-to-manage crops, garlic is another worthy addition to your aquaponics garden. The crop is best cultivated using the media-based aquaponics approach. Productive harvest of garlic is achieved by taking into consideration specific growing requirements, which this article adequately provides.
Why grow garlic in aquaponics?
Garlic is easy to grow.
The plant under consideration does not require much effort from the gardener. You can grow this crop almost anywhere as long as you provide it with the elements it needs. One garlic bulb can produce a harvest based on the number of cloves it has.
Garlic does not require much space.
The garlic vegetable is not a space-consumer plant. With a small patch of garden area, you can cultivate this plant and harvest much. Garlic bulbs grow nicely in containers and need 12 inches of well-draining growing media to thrive.
Garlic has a long shelf life.
Garlic's shelf life is determined by how and where it is stored. Fresh and whole garlic can be stored for up to five months in the pantry and up to 12 months in the freezer if properly stored. This means, following your harvest, you may keep the bulbs for a definite period and be confident that their potency is still unaffected.
Garlic is nutritious.
According to the National Library of Medicine, supplements derived from garlic have been shown to improve immune system performance Improvements. Compared to a placebo, a daily garlic supplement reduced the number of colds by 63% in a 12-week study. Cold symptoms were also decreased by 70% in the garlic group, from 5 days in the placebo group to only 1.5 days from the group using garlic supplements.
Garlic is a commonly used cooking ingredient.
Garlic may be used in a wide variety of dishes. Chicken, potatoes, steaks, spinach, beans, and even mushrooms can all benefit. In general, it goes well with a wide variety of dishes.
What are the different varieties of garlic?
Garlic varieties fall under two general categories. They are either hardneck or sofneck.
The "neck" refers to the garlic bulb's upward-growing stalk. Hardnecks have a stalk that grows from the bulb's core and becomes hard as it matures. Instead of a core stalk, softneck stalks feature leaves, and it remains soft and flexible at maturity.
Hardneck garlic
- Peels easier
- More flavorful than softnecks based on several growers
- Performs best in colder climates
- Has fewer cloves per head
- Shelf life is estimated to be within four to six months after harvest
Softneck garlic
- Best option for warmer regions
- Has many cloves in one head
- Shelf life is from nine to twelve months when put under ideal storage conditions
Which variety is best in aquaponics?
The garlic variety you should choose depends on many factors. One consideration is your location since softnecks and hardnecks grow optimally in different types of regions. Nevertheless, the two varieties of garlic are ideal for aquaponics.
Which aquaponics technique suits growing garlic?
Media-based aquaponics is the preferred approach in growing garlic. One good reason is that this technique is the closest to traditional soil farming. Keep in mind that your garlic crops' grow medium should allow proper drainage. Expanded clay and gravel are an excellent alternative when determining which growing medium to employ.
What are the factors to consider for growing garlic in aquaponics?
pH level
Garlic crops grow best in a pH range of neutral to slightly acidic. The recommended pH would be between 6.0 and 7.
Temperature
Although softneck garlic can be planted in the very early spring if necessary, higher yields are achieved by planting in the fall. Hardneck garlic, in particular, prefers being cultivated during the fall season. Experienced growers recommend you commence your planting when the temperature of your growing bed reaches 50°F (10 °C).
Sunlight
When garlic receives six to eight hours of sunlight per day, it reaches its maximum development potential. On the other hand, garlic will thrive if it gets at least four hours of sunlight per day. Garlic will thrive in partial sunshine as long as the soil conditions and temperature ranges stay consistent.
Companion fish
Since garlic does enjoy cold temperatures, whether it is a softneck variety, the best fish for your aquaponics system is one that does well in the same temperature. For this reason, I recommend catfish, trout, and perch.
How long does it take to grow garlic in aquaponics?
Garlic cloves are a more practical alternative to planting seeds for inexperienced growers. When you are set to produce it, remember not to remove the crop's skin. It will take 7 to 9 months on average for the vegetable to reach its maturity. The green leaves of your garlic turning brown would be your indicator that the crops are harvest-ready.
Conclusion
A garlic crop is an excellent option for any aquaponics growing bed. The plant is user-friendly in the sense that it will not give you a hard time managing it through its growing process. Of course, you still have to maintain specific ranges to achieve optimal growth, but once you succeed in doing so, a productive harvest of garlic awaits you.