{"id":84847,"date":"2023-12-07T16:05:44","date_gmt":"2023-12-07T16:05:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/happylifestyleinc.com\/?p=84847"},"modified":"2023-12-07T16:05:44","modified_gmt":"2023-12-07T16:05:44","slug":"monty-don-shares-top-priority-gardening-job-in-december-for-a-summer-harvest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/happylifestyleinc.com\/home-and-garden\/monty-don-shares-top-priority-gardening-job-in-december-for-a-summer-harvest\/","title":{"rendered":"Monty Don shares top priority gardening job in December for a summer harvest"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Spring is synonymous with growth, but certain\u00a0plants do best when sown during the colder months because it’s more conducive to the development of their root systems.<\/p>\n

This is why, contrary to popular belief, December is an excellent month to start planting, helping gardeners to get ahead of their Spring harvests.<\/p>\n

Sowing garlic, in particular, is deemed the ideal December activity because bulbs need just a couple of months for healthy development.<\/p>\n

British horticultural Monty Don has previously said that he prioritises garlic sowing during December for a fruitful spring harvest.<\/p>\n

Writing on his blog, the gardener explained: \u201cI start planting garlic bulbs in September but it can be done at any time before Christmas to have a good harvest next summer.<\/p>\n

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What’s more, garlic can start to show shoots within four to eight weeks, depending on the type of bulb.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe garlic you mostly buy is almost always \u2018soft neck\u2019 which has a flexible plaitable stem, stores well (which is why shops stock it) and is often excellent,” notes Monty Don.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut many think the best garlic is \u2018hard neck\u2019 varieties which have a stiff, upright stalk and tend to have smaller bulbs.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, it is just as easy to grow and get hold of from food suppliers and because it is much harder to buy, it makes sense to grow it yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

The bulb needs to be grown in an open site with fertile and well-dug soil – that is preferably exposed to a good amount of sun. One a gardening has been chosen for the garlic, split an existing buld into individuals cloves.<\/p>\n

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Planting these bulbs upright is the second most crucial aspect of the task, with the flat end pointing downwards while the point end points upwards.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpace the cloves 15 cm (six inches) apart, with the tip 2.5 cm 9 (one inch) below the soil surface,\u201d experts at the Royal Horticultural Society advise.<\/p>\n

When soil harbours too much moisture, diseases may ensue. This is why a cold frame is encouraged for gardeners wishing to plant their garlic during the winter.<\/p>\n

Bear in mind that birds may be tempted to pull up the newly planted bulbs so it may be wise to use a horticultural fleece until well rooted.<\/p>\n