Garlic is believed to have originated from regions around India, central south-western Asia and north-eastern Iran. It’s one of the oldest cultivated vegetables, with a history stretching back 5,000 to 10,000 years, celebrated for its nutritional value and health benefits. It was one of the most revered plants in ancient times and belongs to the vast allium family, which includes onions, leeks, chives, garlic chives, Welsh onions and ramsons (wild garlic). And that’s just the edible side of the allium family!
I find garlic is one of the easiest crops to grow, and always appreciate the pungency of homegrown garlic, which tends to be stronger than garlic from the supermarket. It’s also fascinating to witness how a single clove, planted in cold soil, grows and swells over the season. The…