If farming was more of an exact science, there would likely be higher yield and less waste.
That’s why for the next two years, Dr. Clydette Alsup, associate professor of environmental plant science at Missouri State University’s Darr School of Agriculture, along with her team of five researchers, will investigate the ideal time for planting garlic in southwest Missouri to make its production more competitive and profitable.
According to Alsup, little work has been done in the United States with regards to garlic planting dates.
“There is a lot of advice on when to plant garlic but not a lot of science, and most garlic is grown far away from here,” she said. “Garlic is a profitable cash crop for commercial growers and is rather easy to grow. If we can discover the optimum planting dates for garlic, it can improve incomes for our area farmers, as well as educate home growers, while being assured that it is grown in a sustainable manner.”
The research is possible thanks to a $20,000 grant Alsup received from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant program to strengthen the market for Missouri-grown specialty crops.
When to grow?
“Most people recommend that garlic be planted in October in our area, but a local grower told master gardeners a few years ago that yield is better if garlic is planted in September,” Alsup said. “So we wanted to see if we can determine the optimum planting date for garlic in southwest Missouri.”
The study’s ultimate goal is to support growers by establishing a garlic hub in this region.
“We won’t replace California’s industry and other areas that grow a lot of garlic such as in the eastern United States, but hopefully we can develop an economically sound industry here in this part of the country,” Alsup said.
About the research
The study involves four planting dates in the fall (mid-September, early October, mid-October and early November) and one in the spring of three types of garlic: hardneck, softneck and elephant.
“While everyone agrees that yields are much better when garlic is planted in the fall, we’re also going to plant the garlic in the spring to see if it’s worthwhile as a cash crop for area growers,” Alsup said.
The planting is done at two locations – MSU’s Darr agricultural farm in Springfield and Greg Braker’s farm in Oronogo.
Data on yields, size and quality of garlic planted on each date will be collected, analyzed and shared with growers and the public through events, such as presentations, field days and garlic festivals.
The research team includes Braker, Esther Nelson, MSU agriculture graduate student, Dr. Ben Onyango, MSU associate professor of agriculture, and Patrick Byers and Kelly McGowan from the University of Missouri Extension Service.