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Growing Garlic in Class - The Garlic Project (by 3-4 year olds) #141243

Asked July 17, 2013, 3:38 AM EDT

Dear Sir/Madam, I am an Early Childhood Educator from Wee Care Singapore, currently teaching 3-4 year olds. As part of our Project Approach module, we have been learning about garlic. After researching on how garlic is grown and harvested, the children were quite keen on growing garlic in school. Since I'm not knowledgable in garlic harvesting, I would like to ask a few questions on whether it will be a success in our class. 1. Does garlic need to grow in a specific temperature and climate? Singapore does not have four seasons, and our weather is usually hot and humid, with occasional rain. 2. Will it be appropriate to grow garlic indoors, as long as there's direct sunlight? Our rooms are air conditioned and we have several windows that get direct sunlight. 3. What type of soil is needed to grow garlic? In case we don't find that type of soil, is there a good alternative? 4. How often should we water the soil once the garlic is planted? 5. If we leave the pots of garlic outdoors, should they be left under direct sunlight? 6. What are the indicators that the garlic is ready to be harvested? We learned about the hard neck and soft neck varieties. With hard neck, the scapes have to be yellow in color. With soft neck, the scapes have to be bent. I know there are a lot of garlic varieties. Is there any other indicator that will tell us the garlic bulb is ready to be harvested? 7. Aside from watering the soil, what other treatments are needed? (e.g. planting fertilizer) Thank you very much for your time and consideration. The children would also appreciate you answering the inquiries, as they are part of our Project Approach investigation. Thanks again! Warm regards, Aby Arabit

County Outside United States

Expert Response

What a nice project! I am not familiar with your growing conditions, but I do not think growing garlic indoors would be very successful.

Perhaps you could try a plant that actually grows in your area. This article suggests some other crops for hot climates: http://www.southernexposure.com/blog/2012/02/what-to-grow-through-very-hot-summers/

If you are actually going to be growing indoors, you may find plants grow but will not set fruit or vegetables. A flowering plant may work better, and some have edible flowers. 

I wish I could offer more information, but you might ask someone that gardens in your region for ideas.
Best Regards, Replied July 18, 2013, 2:48 PM EDT
Dear Lynne,

Thanks for your reply! I will look at the link that you posted. It's quite tricky growing certain climate-sensitive plants in our humid weather. 

Thanks again for the help!
The Question Asker Replied July 26, 2013, 8:39 AM EDT

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