I like to plant garlic in the fall for a spring/summer harvest and then I will have plenty to use throughout the year. Why bother when garlic is so easy to come by? Never ask a gardener that 🙂
I have been buying my garlic from The Cook’s Garden and I particularly like “Early Italian”. They send heads of garlic and you break them apart into individual cloves. I always plant the biggest and best of course.
I was preparing the soil and what do you know but I found a number of juicy worms. There are two in the picture on the left and the picture on the right shows my shovel with another one. Every time I turned the soil over there was another worm! Not complaining as worms are definitely a good thing in the garden. The weather has been turning colder so they were down towards the bottom of the beds.
I can remember when we lived in Manchester, Gene and/or the kids would go out to my veggie garden digging for worms to fish with. Not approved by me of course so Gene finally started to buy them when he knew any of the kids were coming to visit. We had 12 regular visitors and that is not counting any of the friends they brought with them.
We had the teenagers down to the little ones – purple worms were okay, but the real ones that squirmed caught the fish!!!
My nephew (on the left) and his two buddies from the picture above – this bass was a keeper 🙂
Gene bought a bunch of “safe” kids Walt Disney fishing rods with bobbers – the kids loved them!
Good thing the dogs did not need any worms LOL – lots of sunfish my lab and her visiting friend were trying to catch!
Out of the four huge heads of garlic I planted 20 cloves, or two rows of 10 each in one of my raised beds. I have to plant them deep as I cover the cloves with an inch or two of soil and then 6 inches of mulch. I do plant them a little closer than recommended but it is my garden, right? This is to protect the cloves during the cold winter months here in Michigan. Last year about 1/2 of them made it so I shall see how they do this year.
Last year’s garlic – not perfect heads but still very good! You can see it growing this spring along with my snow peas and spring lettuce.
I really love this post – so many great tips and pictures!
Thanks Laura – I do love my garlic 🙂
I’m still buying mine, but have thought about growing it.
You should give it a try Julie – you would not be disappointed. Besides it does not take up much room which is why I like to grow it 🙂
Okay…I think I’ve officially “caught up” on your posts, Judi…whew…sorry to crowd your inbox! I’m so glad you posted this, as planting fall garlic is something I’ve always wanted to do. Is the timing still on my side if I get it done this week? For our area, I mean? I know come next gardening season I would greatly appreciate it sprouting up. 🙂
No problem Nancy – I wondered what happened to you but certainly we are all entitled to breaks every now and then! No, it is not too late. As long as the ground has not frozen – I have raised beds so it was easy for me to plant (just last week). You do need to cover it with 6″ of mulch to keep it from heaving during the winter. Then of course you remove it in the spring. Good luck and I hope you plant some 🙂
I’m taking notes for my garden 🙂
Hi Sarah – I live in zone 6 so should you plant any garlic you need to follow planting directions for your area 🙂
mmm fresh garlic! Wish I had a garden… 🙂
Garlic is fun and easy to grow – not much space is needed 🙂
You ROCK! I love how you are growing garlic 🙂 Garlic is pretty much my absolute favorite ingredient- and I love the garlic from my CSA share…. I need to grow it myself. You are inspiring me… the wheels are turning!
Thank ya – garlic is up there on my list of favorite ingredients too. Just plant it according to the zone you are in – I live in zone 6 🙂
Your garlic looks amazing, I’ve tried before and did not have any luck, just planted again this year. This time used organic garlic. Thanks for the great tips.
Thanks – just keep on trying as it is well worth it! Garlic, tomatoes and basil – yum 🙂
The garlic looks nice and fresh. I think I should consider doing some gardening next year. Thanks for sharing the photos and stories about Manchester. I hope the garlic live to grow next year into beautiful bulbs. Have a fantastic fall!
Thanks Liz – you would enjoy gardening as it is fun to pick your own lettuce or add your own garlic to a stir-fry. I am glad you enjoy the pictures as I like to include old ones when I can as my family does enjoy them as well as people like you. Enjoy your week 🙂
I love garlic–thanks for the garlic-growing tips! 🙂
Me too – My garlic turned out last year so I am giving it another try 🙂