Garlic Komsomolets was bred in 1978 by Voronezh breeders. Experts rate it as one of the best varieties of winter garlic.
Description of the variety
Komsomolets is a mid-season bolting variety characterized by excellent frost resistance. Its bulb is large and dense. The shape is flat-round, weight is up to 30 g. The number of cloves in one head can vary from 6 to 14. The growing season is 120 days. The variety is characterized by a pungent taste. Suitable for both fresh consumption and all types of processing.
Features of cultivation
This variety loves sunlight very much. This fact must be taken into account when choosing a landing site. Komsomolets grown in the shade will be noticeably inferior in taste to garlic of the same variety, which received a sufficient amount of light and heat during growth. Therefore, it is recommended to plant it away from trees and tall shrubs.
The variety loves loamy soil and does not need regular watering. Before planting in the ground, the bed must be fertilized. Humus and mineral fertilizers based on potassium and phosphorus are best suited.
It should be noted, that winter garlic is recommended to be planted after cabbage, cucumbers or legumes.
To avoid diseases, it is necessary to choose a new planting location every year. To the original - return no earlier than after 3 years.
Komsomolets is planted in September-October. When disembarking, experts advise observing the following rules:
- The distance between rows in the garden bed is about 40 cm.
- The distance between the cloves in a row is 8–12 cm.
- Planting is done to a depth of 5–7 cm.
Features of variety propagation
Due to the fact that Komsomolets is a shooter, there are two possible options for its reproduction:
- With cloves. This is an easier way that allows you to harvest the next season;
- Seed bulbs. This method is more complex and takes 2 years. The sequence of actions is as follows:
- We plant the seed bulbs in the ground in the fall.
- We plant the single-toothed bulbs that have grown by summer again.
- Next summer we get a full-fledged large head of garlic.
Regardless of the method of garlic propagation you choose, do not forget that good yields can only be achieved by using high-quality seed.
Features of care
After the garlic is planted, it is recommended to mulch the ground to a depth of 12–15 cm with peat or sawdust. This will maintain moisture in the soil and provide reliable protection from cold and weeds. In addition, mulch will act as a good fertilizer (provided it is organic). Other care measures, including watering, should be postponed until spring. The garlic will receive all the moisture it needs from the rains.
In the spring, after the snow melts, the mulch is removed and the space between the rows is slightly loosened. But it is better not to touch the beds themselves, since there is a high probability of damaging the young garlic sprouts.
Watering garlic extremely rarely, and a month before harvesting it is recommended to stop watering altogether.
Fertilizing with mineral fertilizers is carried out only 2-3 times during the entire period of garlic growth and only in the spring. The following substances are used for these purposes:
- Urea.
- Manure solution.
- Superphosphates.
They are applied selectively, and not all at once, since each of these fertilizers is quite strong.
Harvesting
The Komsomolets variety reaches full ripening 100–110 days after the first shoots. Bulbs can be safely dug up if the following signs are present:
- The feathers turned two-thirds yellow.
- The lower leaves have dried out.
- The seed pods have opened.
- The stem has fallen.
It is recommended to harvest garlic early in the morning and then lay it out in the garden so that the bulbs dry in the sun during the day. Next, the heads are dried indoors for 2–3 weeks.
Of particular note is the importance of timely harvesting of garlic.Thus, harvesting too early or too late has a negative effect on the taste and shelf life of the crop.
Advantages of the variety:
- Excellent yield.
- Good taste.
- Disease resistance.
- Long-term storage.
Gardeners' ratings
Garlic of the Komsomolets variety has been actively grown on the plots of Russian summer residents for several decades. We recommend that you read useful reviews from gardeners about this crop.
Varvara Borisovna, Moscow region, Elektrostal: “I found a description of the Komsomolets garlic variety on the Internet. I was attracted by the fact that it is very famous and many people grow it. Garlic is frost-resistant, productive, and very tasty. It can be stored for a long time, which is important for this crop.”
Margarita Ivanovna, Chelyabinsk: “I’ve been looking for good garlic for a long time. The variety interested me, I heard about it from a friend. I planted two beds and don’t regret it. The harvest is rich if properly cared for. Good fresh and in marinade. You can also make an excellent garlic sauce from it.”
Lidiya, Voronezh region: “Komsomolets does not grow very well on our site, because it requires rich soil, but ours is poor. The solution I find is to plant it after the cabbage. This is how he grows stronger. And garlic is very good, it has wonderful taste characteristics.”
