WINTER 2007
GROWING
FOR HEALTH
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GROWING FOR HEALTH ARTICLES |
Nutrition: Garlic does not seem to be especially high in any particular nutrient, but seems to have many health benefits. It contains a reasonable amount of magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and potassium and some Vitamin C and B vitamins.
Cultivation: Garlic is a perennial bulb of the onion family, growing up to 60 cm in height, with each bulb being composed of many bulblets or cloves.
It thrives in a rich moist soil and likes a sunny position. Individual cloves are planted in the soil sometime between September and February, according to the variety used. Plant the cloves about 5 cm deep and 15 cm apart. The bulbs are dug up when the tops have died down, which is usually sometime between August and late summer. After lifting allow the garlic to dry out thoroughly under cover before storing it. The best way to store garlic is to tie it in strings, which can be hung from a beam in an airy garden shed in much the same way as onions. Small crops of garlic can be stored in a special garlic jar. Garlic needs to be kept well watered in a dry summer. I find that it does not grow particularly well in my area of the south of England because the rainfall tends to fall off between May and July. It is otherwise a very easy crop to grow, requiring little attention apart from occasional watering after planting and seems to be troubled by very few pests and diseases.
Uses: Garlic has a very distinctive flavour and is used mainly as a seasoning. It needs to be used sparingly as it is a strongly-flavoured herb and usually one clove is sufficient. A whole clove can be used to flavour stews and soups, but should be removed when cooking is completed. Crushed garlic cloves can be added to a mixture of olive oil and lemon juice to make a salad dressing, used in pasta sauces and mixed in with steamed vegetables. In fact garlic can be used in most cooked savoury dishes.
Health Benefits: Garlic is thought to possess many therapeutic properties. It's said to aid digestion and herbal books recommend that raw garlic juice can be painted onto unbroken chilblains. Dr Michael Greger lists it as one of the top 12 cancer defeating superfoods and some studies indicate that it indeed may help to prevent cancer. It is thought that it is the allyl sulfur compounds in garlic that prevents cancer by slowing or preventing the growth of the cancer tumor cells. Other randomised studies show positive benefits of garlic with regard to heart disease. It particularly seems to help to lower cholesterol levels and may also help to prevent thrombosis and to lower high blood pressure. In addition, garlic appears to have antibiotic and antifungal properties and seems to promote phagocytosis and stimulate the immune cells. Regarding its antifungal properties, there is some evidence to suggest that it can improve candidal infections in mice, so if you come across any sick mice this Christmas, then it's worth giving it a try!
Mail Order Suppliers Include:
If you don't want to purchase garlic by mail order, then have a look in your local stores. Last year Wilkinson's were selling garlic cloves at a very reasonable price. Incidentally, sometimes I plant garlic cloves that I have purchased on the market, the results achieved being much the same as planting garlic that has been specially produced to grow in the UK, but at a much lower cost.
- Thompson & Morgan offer seven types of English produced wight garlic, which originates from SW France. Autumn planting bulbs have a last order date of August 31st and are despatched in October/November. Spring planting varieties include Elephant Garlic (not a true garlic, with massive bulbs and a milder taste than conventional garlic) and a variety of garlic that is planted from January onwards. Tel: 01473 695225 to order.
- The Organic Gardening Catalogue - sells Thermidrome and Printanor, which can be planted between November and February. Tel: 0845 1301304.
- Tamar Organics - Sells Sprint (a fast growing variety that produces bulbs that are ready in June). They also offer Messidrome and Printanor. Printinor is available from January. Tel: 01579 371098.
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