Spring Garlic Recommendations
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
The warm (hot) weather we have seen is pushing soil temperatures up and really moving the garlic along. We are well over a month ahead of last year. This means that fertilizing needs to start significantly earlier as well. Your first application of nitrogen should occur shortly after plant emergence, and certainly by the time plants are six inches tall. Rates and additional application timing is included in the table below. Ideally, before planting, you used a soil test to amend your phosphorus and potassium levels. Even if you didn't, the nitrogen recommendations provided are still accurate. Remember to adjust for leguminous cover crops, which supply some slower-released nitrogen. See Table 1 for more information.
Weed control: Once weeds are allowed to establish in a garlic field, garlic is virtually unable to compete for water, nutrients and light. The key to weed control is to take care of weeds early. There are a few chemical controls available (Table 1). Clean, weed-free mulch is often applied in the fall after the ground freezes and may be left on through the growing season. This will suppress germination of annual weeds. Perennial weeds should be controlled physically or chemically prior to planting in the fall, because they are nearly impossible to control during the growing season. Surface cultivation between rows to control seedlings is effective, but in-row mechanical cultivation is quite disruptive. Flame weeding of seedlings between rows is also effective if no hay mulch is being used. -CLS
Garlic Fertility Table 1 (pdf; 184KB)
Upcoming Events
Wine Sensory Evaluation Workshop
April 26, 2024 : Wine Sensory Evaluation Workshop
Staatsburg, NY
In collaboration with Jeremy Schuster, Viticulture Specialist at the ENYCHP, Dr. Anna Katharine Mansfield and Chris Gerling, Enology Extension Specialists with the Cornell Craft Beverage Institute, will be presenting a wine production-focused, interactive workshop on sensory evaluation.
What is my vine trying to tell me?
May 15, 2024 : What is my vine trying to tell me?
Plattsburgh, NY
Are your grapevines showing signs of discoloration or stunted growth? Don't ignore these warning signs! Join us on May 15th at the Cliton County CCE office to learn about the essential nutrients that grapevines require to thrive, identify the symptoms of nutrient deficiencies, and how to fix them. Don't miss out on this opportunity to improve your grapevine cultivation skills! Attendance is free, but registration is required.
How man's best friend can help find Spotted Lanternfly
May 21, 2024
Millbrook, NY
Come and join us at the Dutchess County CCE office on May 21st for a special demonstration by Jennifer Fimbel, the Agriculture and Horticulture Program Leader with Dutchess County CCE. You will get to see her SLF K9 Cole in action as they demonstrate how man's best friend can be used to detect the Spotted Lanternfly. Attendance is free, but registration is required