migration musings: veggie garden is in FULL swing!

so many interesting things happened since my last post and i can't wait to share and keep them here, all of the incidents are great except, my laptop suddenly, stubbornly backed down on me :(

My garden is in full swing, looks FAB and delish!!

i planted many crops for experiment and pleasure to see how they grow and none of them disappointed me :)

mostly Garlic came out fantastic!

i planted garlic last year in October and harvested in

July!

yes! these are from my garden!

i got the garlic seed from seed savers exchange in September 2009 and they send 2 bulbs and a garlic planting guide, i just followed the instructions

ola!!

when you are planning to grow garlic do not separate the cloves from the bulb until you are ready to plant.
plant the cloves root end down, 6-8" apart.
cloves will begin to emerge in 4-8 weeks if not do not be concerned, the plants may suffer frost or freeze and will survive the weather and emerge in spring, very forgiving:)
fertilize up to may 15, do not fertilize after 15.
garlic needs 1" water per week during the growing season. stop watering from June to harvest easily
keep weeds under control.
'Scapes' form when garlic matures. cut or break them off after they are 10" long.

i don't know that the bulbs up there are good in soups or stir fries, so i toss them, and got so sad after i got the info:(

harvest after leaf die-back begins sometime in June or early July.
dig the garlic carefully, do not pull the stalk or it will separate from the bulb.
gently clean the dirt, don't bruise. remove from sun immediately.

tie a bundle and hang in shaded, dry shed or garage. leave hanging for 4 weeks.
after drying, trim off the roots and cut the stalks off leaving 1 1/2" above the bulb. store in netted bags or baskets, do not refrigerate.
hold the nicest bulbs for replanting.