Growing your own fruit and vegetables can be one of the most rewarding things in life. It can also be one of the most frustrating.
On one hand, you have your very own supply of fresh food but on the other hand, growing fruits and vegetables isn’t always as easy as it seems.
Sometimes, though, growing fresh ingredients is as easy as 1-2-3.
So if you are looking for something easy to grow that you can do indoors and something that makes dishes taste great with surprising health benefits, try growing your own garlic!
Home and Garden provides a semi-quick method and a rather easy way to do so in only a couple of months.
Not only is garlic quick and easy to grow, it has health benefits too.
According to Health Line,
“Garlic is a plant in the onion family that’s grown for its distinctive taste and health benefits. It contains sulfur compounds, which are believed to bring some of the health benefits.”
Health benefit #1: Garlic is rich in some vitamins containing vitamin C, B6, and manganese! As well as trace amounts of calcium, copper, potassium, phosphorus, iron, and vitamin B1.
Before you get started, you’ll need to gather a few supplies:
- Plastic water bottles
- Iron
- Heads of garlic
- Pot
- Dirt
Start by prepping the bottles.
The first step is to gather as many plastic water bottles as you have garlic heads. Then cut the top of the water bottle off and place it on the iron to burn the edges inwards.
This creates a nice resting space for the garlic heads.
Then, to place the garlic heads on top to begin their journey.
Once that is completed fill the bottles with water then place the garlic heads on top. New garlic heads typically need a lot of water to support the root development.
Health benefit #2: It is reported that garlic can help combat sickness like the common cold or the flu. PubMed Central even posted a study that was done reporting,
“One large, 12-week study found that a daily garlic supplement reduced the number of colds by 63% compared to a placebo.”
In only two days, you should start to see results!
Make sure you store your growing garlic bulbs in a dry place. If all goes well in about two days you should start to see some sprouts coming from the cloves.
Health benefit #3: Garlic has active compounds that help to reduce blood pressure.
Just a few days after that, the bulbs should be fully developed!
If stored properly and given the right amount of water the bulbs should be ready to plant within 10 days.
Health benefit #4: Garlic can help improve cholesterol levels which helps to lower the risk of heart disease.
Soon enough, your cloves will be ready to be planted.
Once your bulbs are ready take your pot and fill it with dirt. Then take the sprouts that are ready pull them apart gently then place them in the dirt. Be sure to spread them out so each clove has plenty of room to grow.
Health benefit #5: Garlic even contains some antioxidants that help to protect against cell damage and aging which means it can lower the risk of Alzheimer’s.
Now it’s time for the garlic to go from sprouts to bulbs.
Once planted continue to make sure they have enough room to grow separate from one another. Place the pot and newly planted garlic in a sunny window and make sure to water them lightly over the next two to three months.
Health benefit #6: Garlic helps to detoxify heavy metals from the body.
Once planted, it’s time to enjoy the rest of the garlic growing adventure!
If all goes well in a few months your cloves will go from heads to sprouts to bulbs then to your plate!
Health benefit #7: Garlic also appears to show benefits to bone health as well.
So overall, if you are looking to start a mini garden in your home with something easy, try growing some garlic! With a little care and some love, you’ll be able to watch garlic grow right before your eyes in only a few months.
Catch the full tutorial in the video below!
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