Colorado

[trsturself]

We follow the moon planting schedule with garlic and plant during the waning moon in Oct or Nov. This year that would be 10/15 or 11/14. My problem this year is I don't know where my garden will even be next year so I have no idea where to plant my garlic.

 

[COChix]

I made peach ice cream last year and my daughter and her friend loved it. Unfortunately I'm allergic to them fresh so no peach ice cream for me.

Yumm, I make a pretty good all butter crust peach pie in a cast iron, so good. My dear BF is complaining about all the goodies I have been making lately. I have had three cases of organic bananas, so puréed a bunch with some water in my Vitamix and into the freezer for banana breads, juicing and whatever else I can think of. So made a gluten free banana bread, with coconut oil, shredded coconut, pineapple juice, pecans and chocolate chips. Oh and used brown rice syrup, yum! We at the whole loaf in two sittings!

Ooohhh I want peaches! I cleaned out my deep freezer for the 1/2 grass fed cow and we have plenty of room lol.

Cochix- the property next door has been abandoned for 6+ years... and my others neighbors love us and our chickens lol. So they're fine with it, and our place is deceptively large... I have a gelato machine ahem. Yes, it's dangerous around here lol.

That is good that your neighbors don't mind and enjoys all the girls

I've been making a lot of sun dried tomatoes from my prolific san marzano plants. What was I thinking planting 5 kinds of tomatoes? The purple Cherokee aren't doing so hot, but the German johnson and indigo rose are nice and meaty/juicy. The chickens love tomatoes too.. but not as much as sprouted boss! ..[/quote]

funny ours have had blossom rot, our Black Krimm, Super Lakota and Beef steaks are loving the cool temps, we also have all heirloom cherry variety, black cherry, orange and a red type. Don't remember the names. Here is a shot of the bed now, it is a little crazy!

Here is a shot of the pumpkin we have....

When planting garlic. Just make sure they are in nice lose soil. Burry them the depth plus a half of the bulb. Garlick does like nitrogen, so feel free to mulch it with fresh bedding out of the coop. Be sure to keep it watered throughout the winter.
I plant elephant garlick every year and have a pretty good crop. I use it in my home canned pickles. The family generally fights over the pickled garlic once the pickles are gone.
Good luck. And enjoy.
Ground squirrels are open to hunting all year round. Btw
Or let the dogs out. Lol

Love the gardening chat!

 

[samsr]

Thank you. I'm looking at some garlic on Burpee, and think I might try two varieties. Once grown, and dried how long does it stay usable? I don't want to plant too much if I can't use it all before it goes bad.
I can't let the dogs in the back acre till it's fenced. We're in an actual neighborhood, just big lots. I thought about just putting mouse traps everywhere...then I worried about killing the toads on accident. I hate those little squirrels.

Once it is harvested, as long as it is dried and the toes separated, just keep it in a cool dry place until used. I have had mine last from six months to a year. generally we eat it up before that happens. Then I have to guard the toes that I will replant in the fall. My largest elephant garlic had been about the size of a softball. That was on a really good year.
You can tell when it is ready to harvest by watching the tops, They will turn brown instead of green.
I general plant mine in mid to late Sept. as long as it is before the first freeze. It should sprout and grow. The frost and freezes will make the tops die down, but it will keep growing. If you live in an especially cold place, just burry them a bit deeper. You want to get them deep enough that the bulbs don't freeze too much.

 

[Percheron chick]

Thank you. I'm looking at some garlic on Burpee, and think I might try two varieties. Once grown, and dried how long does it stay usable? I don't want to plant too much if I can't use it all before it goes bad.
I can't let the dogs in the back acre till it's fenced. We're in an actual neighborhood, just big lots. I thought about just putting mouse traps everywhere...then I worried about killing the toads on accident. I hate those little squirrels.

Why buy garlic at Burpee? Just buy a head at the grocery store and plant the cloves just like onion bulbs. Maybe i'm just too cheap....

 

[Ashdoes]

Why buy garlic at Burpee?  Just buy a head at the grocery store and plant the cloves just like onion bulbs.  Maybe i'm just too cheap....

I like being cheap as well. But I had read that the store garlic might not grow as well as garlic grown for growing purposes...if that makes sense. And, since it's my first time planting, I thought I may as well go with a sure thing.

 

[Ashdoes]

Once it is harvested, as long as it is dried and the toes separated, just keep it in a cool dry place until used.  I have had mine last from six months to a year.  generally we eat it up before that happens.  Then I have to guard the toes that I will replant in the fall.  My largest elephant garlic had been about the size of a softball.  That was on a really good year.
You can tell when it is ready to harvest by watching the tops,  They will turn brown instead of green.
I general plant mine in mid to late Sept.  as long as it is before the first freeze.  It should sprout and grow.  The frost and freezes will make the tops die down, but it will keep growing.  If you live in an especially cold place, just burry them a bit deeper.  You want to get them deep enough that the bulbs don't freeze too much. 

Thanks!

 

[trsturself]

I like being cheap as well. But I had read that the store garlic might not grow as well as garlic grown for growing purposes...if that makes sense. And, since it's my first time planting, I thought I may as well go with a sure thing.

Yes, same as potatoes. Store bought varieties are treated so they won't sprout, keeps their shelf life higher at the stores. Although I have had both sprout at home, they don't produce nearly as well as ones purchased for planting. I'm cheap too and have tried the store bought stuff. I'll spend the money and get a good harvest now. Lesson learned.

 

[Percheron chick]

I've never had a problem with growing garlic from the grocery store.

 

[samsr]

Here is a visual between the elephant garlic that i grow compared to a standard garlic head. There is a lot of difference in size. You want to plant the larger toes of whatever garlic that you want to grow.

 

[lgc1970]

I'm thinking of planting garlic this month...would be my first planting on this property. Any tips?
Oh...anyone dealing with ground squirrels? They are making me crazy! They all all over the front yard, half an acre, and tearing up the unfenced back acre. They aren't inside the fenced acre, I think because of the dogs? The Boston's, and Great Dane find their holes, and dig like four feet down...so they've learned to stay away. But, they've tore up my tiny flower bed in the front, and making me not want to plant anything in the circle driveway. Someone said wrapped juicy fruit, but that doesn't sound effective. I tripped into a covered hole last week, and almost broke my ankle.

I plant mine with a cup of sand below and mulch above/around. Then I fold wire fencing over it like a box to keep out everything I can.