Garlic Bulbils! What Are Garlic Bulbils?
Garlic bulbils are like nature’s little garlic seeds, though technically, they’re more like tiny cloves. These small, round structures develop in the flower stalks of hardneck garlic varieties and form clusters that resemble mini garlic heads with tiny bulbils inside. Unlike the usual garlic cloves you plant, bulbils grow above ground in the scape, or flower stalk, of the garlic plant. Each cluster of bulbils can contain anywhere from a few to several dozen tiny bulbs, depending on the variety.
Why Grow Garlic Bulbils?
So, why bother with bulbils when you can just plant garlic cloves? Good question! Growing garlic bulbils comes with a host of benefits:
- Disease-Free Start: Bulbils are typically disease-free because they develop above ground, away from soil-borne diseases that can plague garlic bulbs and cloves. This makes them a great option for starting a clean, healthy garlic crop.
- Increased Stock: Bulbils offer an affordable and efficient way to increase your garlic stock. Since one garlic scape can produce dozens of bulbils, you can expand your garlic crop significantly without needing to purchase garlic bulbs.
- Genetic Preservation: If you’re growing a rare or heirloom variety, bulbils provide a method to preserve and propagate that specific garlic’s genetics. Over time, bulbils can be grown into full-sized garlic bulbs that will help to maintain the variety’s unique traits.
- Patience Pays Off: Although it takes a few years to grow bulbils into full-sized garlic bulbs, the reward is worth it. The plants are often more vigorous and better adapted to your local growing conditions by the time they mature.
Varieties and Growth Times
Not all garlic bulbils are created equal. The size of the bulbils and the time it takes for them to develop into mature bulbs can vary depending on the garlic variety.
- Large Bulbils: Some garlic varieties, like Rocambole and Porcelain, produce larger bulbils. These can be closer in size to a small pea and may take about 2-3 years to develop into a full garlic bulb.
- Small Bulbils: Other varieties, such as Purple Stripe and some Asiatic types, produce smaller bulbils, resembling grains of rice. These might take longer, often 3-4 years, to grow into a mature bulb.
The size and growth time also depend on your local growing conditions, so it’s a bit of a waiting game. However, the diversity in size and development time adds an exciting challenge for garlic enthusiasts!
How to Grow Garlic Bulbils: Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to get your hands dirty? Here’s how to grow garlic bulbils from start to finish:
1. Harvesting Bulbils
- Timing: Garlic scapes typically appear in early summer. Allow the scapes to mature until the bulbils inside the clusters start to dry and harden but before they start to split open.
- Cutting the Scapes: Using a sharp knife or pruners, cut the scapes from the garlic plant, leaving a few inches of the stalk attached.
- Drying: Hang the scapes in a cool, dry place for a few weeks until the bulbils are fully dry and easy to remove.
2. Preparing the Soil
- Location: Choose a well-draining, sunny spot in your garden. Garlic prefers loamy soil with plenty of organic matter.
- Soil Preparation: Work compost or well-rotted manure into the soil to boost fertility. Ensure the soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.0.
- Planting Time: For best results, plant bulbils in the fall, about 6-8 weeks before the ground freezes.
3. Planting the Bulbils
- Depth and Spacing: Plant bulbils about 1 inch deep and 1-2 inches apart. If you’re planting in rows, space the rows about 6 inches apart.
- Covering: After planting, cover the area with a layer of mulch, like straw or leaves, to protect the bulbils over the winter.
4. Growing Conditions
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells. However, avoid overwatering, as garlic doesn’t like to sit in waterlogged soil.
- Weeding: Keep the area weed-free to reduce competition for nutrients.
- Fertilizing: In early spring, apply a balanced organic fertilizer to encourage healthy growth.
5. Harvesting and Replanting
- First Year: After the first year, you’ll likely see small, round garlic bulbs, known as rounds or monobulbs. These are immature garlic bulbs that haven’t yet divided into cloves.
- Replanting: In the fall, replant these rounds to grow them into full-sized garlic bulbs. You can repeat this process over the next 1-2 years, depending on the variety, until your garlic reaches maturity.
Patience and Persistence
Growing garlic from bulbils isn’t a quick process, but it’s a rewarding one. With each passing year, you will see the fruits of your patience as those tiny bulbils slowly transform into robust garlic bulbs. Plus, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you nurtured your garlic from a tiny seed-like bulbil into a kitchen staple.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long do garlic bulbils take to grow into full-sized bulbs?
A: Depending on the variety, it can take anywhere from 2-4 years to grow a full-sized garlic bulb from a bulbil.
Q: Can I plant garlic bulbils in containers?
A: Absolutely! Just make sure the container is deep enough to allow for root growth and has good drainage.
Q: Can I eat garlic bulbils?
A: Yes, you can! While they’re not commonly used in cooking, bulbils have a milder garlic flavour and can be used in a variety of dishes. They’re great for pickling or adding a garlic hint to salads.
How to Use Garlic Bulbils in the Kitchen: Tiny But Tasty!
Garlic bulbils may be small and wrapped in a papery skin, but don’t let their size fool you! While they aren’t as common in the culinary world as garlic cloves, these tiny, flavour-packed bites can be a fun and unique ingredient to experiment with in your kitchen.
Culinary Uses for Garlic Bulbils
- Pickling:
One of the most popular ways to use garlic bulbils is in pickling. Their small size makes them perfect for jarred pickles, and they add a mild garlic flavour to your pickling brine. You can either pickle them on their own or mix them with cucumbers, carrots, or other veggies for a garlicky twist. - How to pickle garlic bulbils:
- Peel as many of the papery skins off the bulbils as possible.
- Prepare a pickling brine of vinegar, water, salt, and any spices you like (such as mustard seeds, peppercorns, or dill).
- Bring the brine to a boil, then pour it over the bulbils in a sterilized jar.
- Seal the jar and let the bulbils pickle for at least a week before enjoying!
- Roasting:
Roasting garlic bulbils can soften their skins and enhance their flavor. You can roast them in batches with other vegetables or roast them solo for a mild, nutty garlic addition to dishes. - To roast garlic bulbils:
- Toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Spread them on a baking sheet and roast at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until they’re soft and the skins are lightly browned.
- You can then either pop the bulbils out of their skins (similar to roasted garlic cloves) or eat them whole if the skins are thin and tender.
- Garlic Powder:
If you have a large quantity of bulbils and aren’t sure how to use them all fresh, you can dehydrate them and make homemade garlic powder. The flavour won’t be as strong as traditional garlic powder made from cloves, but it’s still a great way to preserve the bulbils and enjoy their flavor in soups, stews, or sprinkled on roasted vegetables. - How to make garlic powder from bulbils:
- Peel the bulbils and spread them on a dehydrator tray (or on a baking sheet in the oven on the lowest setting).
- Let them dehydrate fully until they’re dry and brittle.
- Once dry, grind the bulbils into a fine powder using a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle.
- Store the garlic powder in an airtight container for future use.
- Raw in Salads or Garnishes:
If you’re up for a bit of crunch and don’t mind a milder garlic taste, you can use garlic bulbils raw in salads, salsas, or as a garnish for dishes. The papery skins can be a little tricky, so you’ll want to remove them before adding the bulbils to your dish. - Pro tip: Blanch the bulbils in boiling water for 20-30 seconds to help loosen the skins, making them easier to peel before using them in salads or other raw dishes.
The Peeling Problem: How to Handle the Tiny Skins
Peeling garlic bulbils can feel like a fiddly task because they’re so small and covered in papery skins, similar to mature garlic cloves. But with a little patience, you can get through them! Here are some tips:
- Blanching: As mentioned earlier, blanching is a quick way to loosen the skins. Simply drop the bulbils into boiling water for about 20-30 seconds, then immediately transfer them to ice water. The skins should loosen and become easier to remove.
- Smash and Peel: Just like with garlic cloves, you can use the flat side of a knife to gently smash the bulbils. This can help crack the skins and make them easier to peel.
- Dehydrating First: If you’re planning to dry the bulbils for garlic powder, you can leave the skins on during the dehydration process. Once they’re fully dried, rub the bulbils between your hands or inside a kitchen towel to remove the skins before grinding.
- Roast with Skins On: As mentioned earlier, roasting bulbils softens both the garlic and the skins, so you can eat them whole, skin and all, if they’re not too tough. Otherwise, after roasting, the softened skins are easier to pop off.
Flavour Profile of Garlic Bulbils
Garlic bulbils have a milder garlic flavour compared to regular cloves, but they still bring that familiar warmth and slight bite. When cooked, bulbils tend to mellow out even more, offering a slightly nutty and sweet flavour profile. This makes them versatile for use in recipes where you want a hint of garlic without overpowering the dish.
Wrapping Up
Growing garlic bulbils might require a little extra patience, but it’s a fantastic way to increase your garlic stock, preserve rare varieties, and start your crop with disease-free plants. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a garlic-growing newbie, this method offers an exciting challenge with a delicious reward at the end. So go ahead, give garlic bulbils a try, and watch your garden (and your garlic stash) grow!