November 29, 2012
Plant on the shortest day of the year. Harvest on the longest day of the year.
My garlic bed edged in dill.
If you live in warmer winter areas there’s still time to plant garlic, though with changing weather patterns, some of the old rules may not apply. Where you garden, there still may be time.
I planted ‘Silver Rose’ garlic, which does well in southern California. It’s a softneck, artichoke variety that braids well and keeps until I need to replant and beyond. Rose-colored cloves have silvery skins and nice heat. I also planted some organic Trader Joe’s garlic, which is probably 'California White.’
Photo credit: Log House Plants
(No photos of my own garlic since I had crop failure last year).
Garlic may be hard to find now, though you might locate varieties that grow well in your area on an internet search. The Gourmet Garlic Gardens website features garlic growers all around the US and you order directly from the grower. The website is folksy with pictures of the families on their farms.
For southern California gardeners, check out the PowerPoint, Growing Garlic in Southern California. Everything you need to know is there.
For a quick and dirty summary of how to grow garlic there’s Garlic World in Gilroy, CA. Gilroy is home of the annual Garlic Festival and the largest garlic factory in the world.
A nickel will get you on the subway, but garlic will get you a seat. –Anonymous
The air of Provence was particularly perfumed by the refined essence of this mystically attractive bulb. –Alexandre Dumas