Wild garlic (Allium ursinum) has been used in its distribution area in Central Europe for several centuries to season various dishes. Depending on the season, the leaves, buds and flowers have a different intensity of garlic-like taste.

How do wild garlic plants grow?

Basically, wild garlic is a perennial plant whose good growth depends primarily on site factors such as the right soil substrate, the right amount of light and sufficient moisture in the soil. Every year in spring, the leaves grow out of the elongated bulbs that are deep in the ground and often give off an easily perceptible, characteristic smell. The above-ground parts of the plant already die off in summer after the seeds have sowed themselves and the entire energy of the plants remains stored in the bulbs until they sprout again next spring.

Which location does wild garlic prefer?

In nature, wild garlic mostly occurs in shady deciduous forests with soil rich in humus. Especially in depressions with sufficient soil moisture, wild garlic can multiply into a dense carpet of plants within a few years. If you want to plant wild garlic in your own garden, you should choose a shady and therefore evenly moist place in the shade of trees or bushes for cultivation.

When should you sow or plant wild garlic?

There are different options for the targeted cultivation of wild garlic in the garden:

  • the sowing of the seeds
  • planting wild garlic bulbs
  • transplanting whole plants

Plants from natural stocks are often dug up for growing wild garlic in the garden. If the landowner agrees to this outside of protected areas, isolated plants can be dug up with a spade or a digging fork. However, these must not dry out during transport to the new destination. Cultivation in the garden is easier with commercially available wild garlic bulbs. Since the wild garlic reproduces by itself under good conditions, the bulbs should not be placed too close together. When sowing seeds, you should refrain from preferring and sow them directly at the planned location. Since the wild garlic seeds need up to two years to germinate, it is otherwise difficult to maintain consistent soil moisture.

How is wild garlic propagated?

For propagation, individual bulbs are dug out of a dense stock of wild garlic or the seeds are harvested from the withering wild garlic blossoms.

When does wild garlic bloom?

The white inflorescences of wild garlic appear from April to May, depending on the region. Shortly before, the still closed buds can be harvested and pickled in vinegar like capers.

When is the best time to harvest wild garlic?

The taste of wild garlic is not as intense in March and April, which is why the young leaves are preferably harvested in these months. In late spring and summer, the leaves become increasingly fibrous and begin to wither.

tips and tricks

Planting wild garlic in your own garden can protect against confusion with poisonous doubles, but the leaves should still be tested for their garlic-like smell. If fox tapeworm is suspected, you should avoid eating it raw.

Category:

Herbs