Hello....fron Central Ontario "Canada"

Hello All

I borrowed Mel's book from the library this past (very long) winter & it all made sense to me. Now I have two 4 x 6 beds in the yard & plans for two more this fall.........I'm hooked!!!

I'm a rookie to gardening (other than garlic) soooooo please be patient with my inquiry's.



All The Best
OldHasBeen

  to the forum and enjoy,  OHB !  This is a great method of gardening and a terrific forum for support, laughs, and good people sharing their knowledge. 

So, you grow garlic??  I'd love to hear more about your garlic experience.  I've been growing german red for two years but this year is a struggle.  

 See you around the forum.
 

Welcome OHB.  Easy to learn new tricks here!

OHB, Welcome to the Forum!    A year ago, I was new to SFG AND to gardening. This Forum has been a wealth of help and information.

llama momma wrote:
So, you grow garlic??  I'd love to hear more about your garlic experience.  I've been growing german red for two years but this year is a struggle.  

Thanks all for the warm welcome!!


As for my garlic.....I've been growing garlic (hard neck) for about 8 years now, about 70 or so plants. 

After harvesting, I select the largest clove from each bulb & set aside for planting. I normally plant around the 1st of Oct. & cover with about 6" of wheat straw.

 In June I clip off the scapes & make pesto and/ or bean dip with them.

 I harvest after the bottom 3 leafs turn yellow & dry up. Then work the straw into the bed.

I was having issues with small heads, but after working sand, compost, & the straw into the soil...that issue cleared up. The old style garden bed had a lot of clay in it & I feel that it restricted the bulb growth. (That bed 8 x 22 will be replaced by 2 more SFG beds this fall)

That's all I do.....

Mine are hard necks too.  You saved the largest clove from each bulb to replant.  I was saving a 1/2 dozen or so of the largest bulbs then open them up on planting day to choose the best 65 or so cloves.  It had to do with the importance of preserving the planting quality of the bottom of the bulb, suppose to be really important for growth, at least according to a book, Growing Great garlic.  Anyway its always nice to hear of someone else's experience.

Mine were planted in Mels mix then had more compost added in early Spring.  There are scapes now but I seem to be having some other issues going on, perhaps too much wet weather, or a disease, onion maggots maybe,  I still don't know for sure.  Yellowing plants specifically at the corners of the box and spreading towards the inside.  Another member, Plantoid, suggested the 2 sides of wood may be affecting plant growth too. Maybe this reminds you of another cause?   I'll buy everyone's explanation at this point.  Still not sure whats going on but some other members aren't  having a good garlic year either