What to do if garlic turns yellow in spring

In this article, we'll take a detailed look at why garlic turns yellow in spring and what to do about it. Garlic turning yellow is not uncommon in various regions of the country. However, not all gardeners know what causes this phenomenon and where to look for the root cause. Yellowed garlic begins to develop slowly and doesn't grow very large. Therefore, the problem must be addressed promptly.

The main reasons for yellowing garlic

If you browse forums about why garlic turns yellow in spring and what to do, you'll immediately spot the most common causes cited by gardeners. Are winter garlic leaves turning yellow in early spring? This indicates the plant was exposed to severe frosts during the growing season.

The second cause of yellowing leaves is disease or parasites. It's important to determine what's preventing the plant from growing normally and, using folk remedies or store-bought products, try to resolve the issue promptly.

After spring frosts

Don't worry if your garlic was hit by frost. You've noticed the problem early, which means you can deal with it. You'll need to treat the plant with a growth stimulant like NV-101, Epin, or Zircon. Spray the leaves specifically.

Common garlic diseases

Determining whether your garlic is diseased is fairly simple. Pull out the blackened garlic and inspect the bulb. If it's soft, has black spots and mold, or the roots are rotting, there's something wrong with the plant.

Garlic is most often affected by diseases such as bacterial rot and fusarium. These diseases are difficult to cure. However, you can take preventative measures before planting. Simply soak the cloves in a pinkish solution of potassium permanganate. You can also periodically water the beds with this solution as a preventative measure.

Garlic pests

It is clear that the reason why garlic turns yellow in the spring (and what to do) may be various pestsOnion flies are the most common pest of this vegetable. They're easy to spot by inspecting the plant: small worms will be present on the leaves at the base. In this case, treat the garlic with a salt solution (200 grams of table salt per 10 liters of water).

Sometimes garlic is infested by the onion stem fly (nematode). Getting rid of it can be difficult because it can survive in the soil for up to ten years without food or water. A characteristic sign of this pest is a wilting plant with light yellow leaves that curl. All affected plants must be destroyed; there is no cure.

Advice! To prevent this parasite, try soaking garlic cloves at 45 degrees Celsius for two hours before planting. This treatment will at least kill the nematode population.

About planting dates

Garlic leaves may turn yellow because the gardener didn't plant them correctly. For example, garlic shouldn't be planted in early September. This should only be done two weeks before the onset of persistent, cold weather.

These dates will vary for different regions of the country. For example, for Krasnodar it's November, while for central Russia it's early October. Garlic needs time to take root, but not start growing. Which ones to choose? Perennial flowers for the garden and vegetable garden: photos with names?

About proper feeding

Fertilizing this crop will also explain why garlic turns yellow in spring and what to do. If the soil lacks nutrients, garlic leaves will begin to turn yellow. This most often indicates a nitrogen or potassium deficiency. Regular fertilization is essential. Mineral fertilizers, as well as organic ones, are suitable for this purpose.

The main reasons why garlic leaves may turn yellow in spring:

• Winter garlic was damaged by severe frost. The plant can be saved; methods are described in the relevant section of the article;
• The soil lacks nutrients. You can save the garlic by simply fertilizing it with nitrogen and potassium;
• The garlic was planted too early in the fall, before frost set in. As a result, the crop began growing even before the cold weather arrived;
• The planting material is infected with fungus or pests. Most diseases can be controlled, but not all pests;
• Incorrect care of garlic: not enough water, acidic dense soil;

If you've managed to determine why your garlic turns yellow in the spring, what folk remedies or commercial preparations can help in each specific situation. Be sure to treat your garlic cloves before planting; this significantly reduces the risk of many diseases.