Garlic Workshop and Field Demo
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 • 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
4415 River Road, Petersburg, VA 23803
Garlic Workshop and Field Demo: From Clove to Market
Join us for an immersive, hands-on Garlic Workshop and Field Demonstration led by Dr. Sanjun Gu, Horticulture Specialist and Southern SARE Coordinator. This event is designed for farmers, gardeners, and garlic enthusiasts eager to deepen their knowledge of garlic production from seed to sale.
Garlic (Allium sativum) is one of the most important Allium crops after onions and plays a vital role in Virginia’s specialty crop landscape. Whether you're growing garlic for its flavorful bulbs, high-value scapes, or green shoots, this workshop will equip you with practical skills and science-based strategies.
What to Expect:
Garlic Varieties & Cultivars: Learn the differences between hardneck and softneck types, and which cultivars thrive in Virginia’s climate (e.g., Music, Chesnok Red, Inchelium Red).
Soil Preparation & Planting: Discover optimal planting times, spacing, bed prep, and crop rotation tips to manage soil health and avoid pests like nematodes.
Nutrient & Irrigation Management: Understand fertilizer requirements and irrigation timing to maximize yield and minimize disease.
Scape Production: Explore ways to produce garlic scapes profitably, including season extension methods like high tunnels.
Pest & Disease Control: Get updated on integrated pest management strategies and common garlic diseases.
Harvesting & Curing Techniques: Learn how to recognize harvest timing, proper digging methods, and curing steps for high-quality, market-ready garlic.
Storage & Seed Saving: Learn about post-harvest handling, ideal storage conditions, and how to save bulbs for the next planting season.
There will be a field demo introducing garlic bed prep, planting techniques, and possibly early scape production, along with time for Q&A and networking with local garlic growers.
Please contact Dr. Sanjun Gu at sgu@vsu.edu for more information.
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments.