Garlic the Good the Bad and the Ulgy
With all of the good that is said about the garlic herb, it is hard to believe that there is an ugly side, garlic has so many benefits and has been used from ancient times to bring healing and to flavor many food dishes. I love cooking with garlic, the aroma and taste are so pleasing.
This ancient herb is native to Northeastern Iran and Central Asia can be found in just about any kitchen whether cooking in the privacy of our homes or being used to give that BANG in restaurants around the country we can be assured that the garlic herb will excite your taste bud with its amazing flavors.
Besides growing in our gardens to give that zesty taste and for its health benefits the garlic herb can also aid or act as a deterrent in keeping certain garden insect pests at bay no wonder this herb is widely excepted and grown from many home gardens.
Additional Information
Garlic acts as a natural deterrent against these garden insect pests.
- Spider Mites
- Aphids
- Weevils
- Stink Bugs
- Caterpillars
- Termites
- Fungus Gnats
- Japanese Beetles
- Cane Borers
- Fruit tree borers
- Voles
- Moles
- Armyworms
- Codling Moths
- Rose Chafers
- Mosquitos
- Ants
- Whiteflies
Other garden pests
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Slugs
Planting garlic among your garden plants will also keep deer, rabbits, and slugs at bay.
Growing Garlic next to other Plants
- The bad side to garlic is that there are certain plant species that will not do well when planted alongside the garlic herb because garlic will stunt their growth. Here are a few plants to avoid planting alongside garlic
- Beans
- Parsley
- Sage
- Asparagus
- Peas
Companion Planting
Veggies to grow with garlic
1. Beets- Beets and spinach can be planted together because they will not compete for nutrients.
2. Pepper- Planting young peppers next to garlic will protect from disease and pests.
3. Carrots- Installing garlic next to carrots will deter the carrot fly.
4. Eggplant- To keep insect pests such as Japanese beetles, aphids, spider mites, from your eggplants install the garlic herb.
5. Cabbage- Research has shown that planting garlic will repel against the diamondback moth, Japanese beetles, aphids, cabbage loppers, and cabbage worms.
6. Broccoli- Garlic installed alongside broccoli will repel garden insect pests.
7. Tomatoes- Planting garlic next to tomatoes will improve the flavor along with repelling aphids and red spider mites.
8. Lettuce- Garlic and lettuce complement each other because they are both cool-season plants and don’t compete for nutrients.
Fruits to plant with garlic
1. Apple Trees- Planting garlic next to an apple tree will protect the tree against apple scab.
2. Raspberries- Planting garlic next to raspberries will repel the Japanese beetle.
3. Peach Trees- Installing garlic at the base of peach trees will protect against leaf curl.
4. Blueberries- Planting garlic next to a blueberry tree will protect against garden insect pests.
5. Strawberries- Garlic planted next to strawberries will repel spider mites.
Garlic Type
Garlic belongs to the onion family, here are some variety
- Italian Late
- Italian Purple
- Red Toch.
- Red Polish
- California Late
- California Early
- Lorn Italian
- Apple Gate
- Galiano
Some garlic fun facts
1. China produces the most garlic.
2. Garlic has been around for more than 5,000 years.
3. Garlic is used to produce glue.
4. Garlic is beneficial to our health.
5. Garlic applied to wounds will bring quick healing.
6. In ancient Greece, the bride would carry a bouquet of garlic instead of flowers.
7. Garlic is said to be toxic to dogs and cats.
8. It is said that in the USA April 19 is celebrated as national garlic day.
9. Garlic is one of the first herbs to be cultivated.
10. During world war two garlic was given to Russian soldiers as penicillin.
11. Garlic can grow to a height of 4 ft.
12. To get rid of garlic breathe use lime juice or eat a slice of lemon raw.
The final word
The garlic herb is pretty amazing, this tiny herb is fully loaded, arm and dangerous, and will benefit in so many ways. When comparing the ugly side with the good side there is no comparison so go again and take advantage of the garlic herb as it goes to work for you. Garlic is just simply amazing.
About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.