Change your bulb.

Everyone knows fall is a great time to plant bulbs. This year why not try something a little different? 

Garlic. 

This delicious bulb is easy to plant and the steps are simple. Start with a nice full head of garlic – best to use one from the Farmers Market rather than one from the supermarket which could have been treated. Break apart the cloves but leave the paper husks on. Plant the cloves about 2” deep and 4” apart in sunny well-drained soil. Cover with a layer of mulch and check back in spring. Cut off flowers in spring to guarantee the biggest bulb, fertilize if the leaves start yellowing. Harvest when the tops turn yellow and start to flop over. Use a spade to dig up the bulbs, brush them off and let them cure in a shady spot for two weeks. When the husk or wrapper is dry and papery and the bulb is hard the garlic is ready to store.

I was a speaker at the MNLA Winter Forum a few years ago and talked with fellow speaker Brie Arthur who was a huge fan of growing edibles in the garden. Garlic was a particular favorite. Not only was it pretty but Brie said it kept a lot of the browsing animals away. In fact, she routinely used edibles among her annuals and perennials. Sounds better than bird netting to me! Brie told me her favorite garlic was called ‘Music’. I have ordered it and am ready to plant.

 Next summer I should have all the fixings for pizza!