Garlic, belonging to the same family as onions, leeks, and shallots, offers remarkable benefits when applied to plants.
Cultivated in extensive regions globally and widely embraced in culinary endeavors, garlic, with its origins traced back to Central Asia around four thousand years ago, found its way to the Near East. Its historical usage in India and Egypt is well-documented, dating back to the third millennium BC.
Garlic and Nutritional Value:
Garlic is a nutritional powerhouse, boasting substantial amounts of micronutrients like manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and selenium while being low in calories. Rich in polyphenols and other antioxidants, the transformation of white garlic into black garlic at constant temperature and humidity further enhances its nutritional profile.
Garlic’s Benefits in Gardening:
In addition to its culinary significance, garlic proves easy to plant and grow, doubling as a medicinal plant with various applications in our orchards and gardens.
- Pest Repellent: Garlic serves as a natural shield against pest infestations, warding off parasites such as aphids and spider mites when planted around fruit trees. Its presence acts as a deterrent, preventing fungal attacks and offering protection to nearby plants.
- Companion Planting: Combining garlic with other crops can preemptively discourage the onset of parasites in the garden, showcasing its versatility in plant care.
- Tomato Growth: Growing garlic in proximity to tomatoes is particularly advantageous, acting as a natural bactericide and fungicide. It repels parasites that commonly afflict tomatoes, including nematodes, and proves beneficial in carrot and strawberry crops.
Garlic Infusion Against Aphids:
A simple home remedy involves an infusion made from garlic to repel aphids from plants without resorting to harmful chemicals. The infusion should be applied at dawn or dusk for approximately five days to ensure effectiveness.
Garlic as a Natural Fungicide:
To create a natural insecticide/fungicide, blend a head of garlic with cloves and water, letting the mixture rest before diluting it with water. This solution can be sprayed directly on plant leaves to combat fungal issues.
Garlic Bulbs as Homemade Insecticide (APICHI):
Garlic is a key ingredient in APICHI, a potent insecticide effective against soft-bodied insects like mites, whiteflies, aphids, and caterpillars. To make this homemade insecticide, garlic cloves are chopped, crushed, and macerated in water. The resulting solution is boiled, cooled, filtered, and then applied using a sprayer like a standard insecticide.
