Garlic Harvest

[Durgan]

12 July 2011 Garlic Harvest 12 July 2011 Garlic Harvest.

An Overview of the five varieties and 17 sub-varieties of Garlic A good read about garlic.

This hard neck garlic was planted in October of 2011 and was pulled today. There is about a hundred bulbs. The largest cloves were planted, and some smaller ones to compare the end product. The larger cloves produced slightly larger bulbs, but probably not such a difference to consider in a large planting. The row of second year bulbils produced bulbs almost the same size as the typical stock, so using bulbils for seed stock is probably an economical way to plant in a large field.

I selected the largest bulbs to keep separate for the 2011/2012 crop. To keep my seed stock healthy, I check garlic at the Farmer’s Markers and buy any exceptionally large bulbs for seed stock, which is planted in October in my region.

[Josephhgoins]

Very nice!

I can only imagine what the shed smells like though.

[Durgan]

Very nice!

I can only imagine what the shed smells like though.

Only for a couple of weeks, and I probably stink so don't notice the odour.

[Josephhgoins]

Only for a couple of weeks, and I probably stink so don't notice the odour.

Awesome!! Always good to talk with someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously!

Btw, have you done a cost analysis on any of your home grown produce to see exactly what it costs you per pound?

[Durgan]

Awesome!! Always good to talk with someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously!

Btw, have you done a cost analysis on any of your home grown produce to see exactly what it costs you per pound?

I don't suppose a home garden is very economical, since a few vegetables go a long way, and they sort of all come available at the same time. There is only me and the dog, Ginny, feeding off the garden. Most is given to neighbors.

This year for overwintering there will be potatoes, onions, garlic and I will make much juice from fruit and some vegetables. Long term storage of produce that is desirable to eat is the problem. Freezing, canning, cold room are about the only methods for storage. I avoid freezing except for meat, which I now seldom use.

Storing something that is not often eaten is usually undertaken so one must be selective. Also there is no real urgency, since one can buy fresh produce throughout the season- not like the old days.

The point is growing the produce is one thing, storage for winter use is the other issue that must be solved.

[mzpepper]

Why is it that you don't freeze excess produce from your garden?

[Durgan]

Why is it that you don't freeze excess produce from your garden?

My view is most frozen produce is not very palatable, whenever there are viable alternatives. Frozen if necessary, but some of the other alternatives are probably more acceptable.