Thursday, February 2, 2012

Growing Garlic

I had another almost sleepless night.  I am hoping stopping the Prednisone will help with that problem.
We got pretty cool overnight, 30° but today is supposed to be in the 60's.

I actually did go out late yesterday afternoon and planted 25 feet of sprouted garlic.
All I had to do was push some mulch out of the way here and there.  This is on the north side of the south garden fence.  I picked a section where the clematis and roses won't cast much shade on the garlic.  I am happy to report the ground was in beautiful condition and very moist.  I just drug a hoe down the row and then pushed the individual cloves into the soil.



I notice that some of the garlic has sprouted and some has not....none has rotted.  I need to do some research about how to store garlic over the winter..  If any of you know, please share with me.  I haven't raised garlic for very long and am just finding my way.  I don't know if this late planting will make either, but the garlic was sprouted and I hated to loose it. 

While out back, I gathered the eggs...9 slightly soiled.  I need to clean out the nests this morning....again.  This is an endless job since many choose to roost in the nests and leave their calling cards behind.
I also pulled some henbit and dead nettle and tossed to them and shelled  two ears of corn from my field corn crop and tossed it.  I think the corn kernels are a little too big for them.  I hope this will improve the color of the yolks that get a little pale during winter.

Today's plan is to do a little housecleaning.  I have some points accumulated on Amazon so I may have to do a little shopping too.  Life is good.

13 comments:

  1. Your garden soil looks lovely, deep and dark. What kind of garlic did you plant? I kept my last batch of Elephant garlic for 2 years, then planted them (unsprouted) into the garden last November. How they stayed so well is a mystery - I just left the bulbs in a bowl in an open cupboard all that time. Go figure...? Good air circulation maybe. Who knows.

    Been mild here - 60s Tuesday,50s yesterday and 40s today. This is one frustrating winter. Cut down the asparagus ferns yesterday and picked up all the broken branches (high winds) from the lawns. Will have to get my WS containers in gear pretty soon. Hope you get some more rain soon.

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    1. I have no idea of the variety. MY sis gave me a start from her garden. It is a hardneck of some kind and makes pretty large bulbs, size of small oranges.

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  2. Yes. Life IS good. Thanks for the reminder! :)

    And I'm looking forward to the garlic comments as this year is our first time planting garlic also (albeit late).

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  3. The more I read bloggers in different parts of our country, the more I'm amazed at the vastly different climates we live and thrive in! Last night we had ice/sleet/rain/snow. Everything is coated this morning and quite lovely but this is NOT the weather we in northern Minnesota should be having at this time of year. It's way too warm (in the 30s) when it should be around zero.

    I'm both drooling and laughing at the picture of your lush, black garden soil that you planted the garlic in. No way could we think of planting anything outside right now. Heck, it's even 2 months before I can think of starting my seeds inside. Variety is the spice of life they say. So interesting to read of your life and weather as compared to ours.

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    1. This is unusual for us too, Mama Pea. Usually the ground freezes by mid-December and that is it. I don't start most seeds until mid-March either.

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  4. Your soil looks rich,I hope they do good for you,I planted some garlic back in fall. Hoping it does good too. You might try googling to get your information. I am new at this. Blessings Jane

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  5. I live in the Ozark Plateau, apparently somewhat north of you, and our soil is more heavy clay than your gorgeous black dirt. I planted garlic the end of October by following these suggestions from Organic Gardening Magazine, and it's growing like crazy (in spite of a little setback from a wayward firework at Christmas time).
    http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/how-to-plant-garlic

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    1. I will check out that link shortly. Thanks.

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  6. Gosh, when you mentioned the henbit and dead nettle, I cringed, Glenda. My yard in VA was filled with it. I don't know what we'll get here...:)JP

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    1. I sincerely hope you are too far north for it JP!
      I bet you have something to take its place though.

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    2. Alas, even here in NE Ohio with -20F winters, henbit thrives. Still, the bees LOVE it.

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  7. "Living and Gardening in the Ozarks" has been included in this weeks Sites To See. I hope this helps to attract many new visitors here.

    http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2012/02/sites-to-see.html

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    1. Thank you Jerry. I am honored to be listed.

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