Growing and Preserving Garlic
At first I grew garlic in containers. |
I've grown garlic for years. In the beginning, it was in small containers. I got plenty, but the bulbs were on the small side.
Now I grow it in my float garden. Garlic takes little attention. Plant cloves with the point up, mulch, water, feed periodically, dig, dry, and enjoy.
I purchase garlic bulbs good for my climate at the nursery. I also save my best bulbs for future planting. A few bulbs go a long way. You separate the cloves and plant them seven inches apart. I plant in fall, mulch through winter and harvest in early summer.
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Flower and garlic bulbs (in the front) sprouting in early March. |
When the tops wilt, brown, and fall over, it's time to pull the bulbs.
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Tulips have died back and garlic approaching maturity. |
If the weather is sunny and warm, I leave them on the cabin deck to dry.
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Garlic drying on the deck on a sunny summer day. |
After the surface of the bulbs has dried, I brush off any dirt and tie the tops of several together for hanging. Nothing goes to waste. I saved the trimmings for garden mulch.
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Processing garlic for storage: Trimming and tying in bundles. |
I hang them in a protected spot outdoors to continue drying. This starts the preserving process.
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Garlic hanging to dry in the floating woodshed. |
I leave them outdoors until the skin on the bulbs is dry and flaky. I then hang the bundles in the cabin's storage room. By this time there's no odour, and they're handy to grab for cooking.
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Dried garlic hangs in our storage room ready for use. |
If you live in an apartment with a balcony, or a home with limited garden space, you can grow garlic in a container and have plenty left over to share with friends and family. -- Margy
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