The mysteries of garlic, an inquiring mind wants to know!!

[Chilly Lizard]

Seriously???? I wonder if those potato fires are b/c the potatoes weren't pierced?

Agree. Must poke lots of holes

 

[oregonkat]

I have wondered about freezing garlic, so glad to read that it is an option.
I like this method too!
https://www.mydarlinglemonthyme.com/2014/05/preserved-garlic-in-extra-virgin-olive.html

 

[oregonkat]

Almost looks like the scape couldn't escape (hahaha!)so formed there....
....or it's just an anomaly.

An anomaly I think. I choose bulbs from my harvest to replant every year so perhaps I just have a genetic hiccup in there that causes this. I will feed the little bulbils to the chickens.

 

[aart]

@aart what are some of the best ways you suggest using garlic for our fowls nutritional benefits?

None really.
I don't put a lot of stock in holistics and sure won't tout any miracle proponents or effects. It may have some antibacterial properties and be an immune system booster.
I feed them sparingly to the chickens because it may help and won't hurt them in small quantities...it can be toxic(cause anemia)if given too much or too often...but mostly just to use them for something.

RE: Preserving garlic....
I only slice thin and dry passively(not in a 'food dryer') the remainder of a clove I cut for my food(which isn't a lot or often) just to not waste it.

If garlic heads are harvested and cured properly they will keep just fine in the same environment as onions would. I still have heads from last year, they are starting to sprout because the space is not the right temp and humidity, but I use them anyway.<shrugs>

 

[Molpet]

some softneck, every so often will have the midway bulblets... I planted some 3 years ago and then read some varieties take 5 years to make a decent head, I lifted some yesterday and they must be the 5 year variety. So them and the topset bulblets are for chickens and perimeter planting to keep veg loving/garlic hating predators away from the garden... The perimeter garlic isn't planted until next year, because I run the chickens in the garden when it's done... garlic and kale fenced off

 

[annageckos]

I get a few garlic plants every year with those bulblets growing half way up the stalk. I wanted to try to grow some but never did.