2017 garden thread

[Stein]

I should also clarify. the scapes are the green stem, not the flower.  Just cut the stems into couple inch long pieces and saute.  Takes maybe a bit longer than Asparagus to cook.

[BilletHead]

17 minutes ago, Stein said:

Correct, do not wash garlic.  Dig it up, brush off the loose dirt, don't remove even the outer layer of skin.  Hang by the stems to dry in a warm, dry place with free air movement but out of the sunlight for 5-6 weeks.  After that I cut the stems off and put in my wife's canning cellar (a dark room in the basement on outside walls that I built an interior wall and insulated).  This year I'm going to try to braid some up in clumps of 6 or 8 with the stems to be able to give away to people.  Will be easier to hang to dry and looks nicer when you give them away.

All of this came from two bulbs that I bought at a farmer's market a couple of years ago.  First year I saved back 6 to plant, last year 10, this year I'll save back 40 so I'll have around 400 plants next year.  That will likely be my limit.  As you can see in the photo I don't bother with weeding.  I literally watered it twice this year when it was really dry.  That's it.  Otherwise ignored it.  Pretty easy to grow.

One other thing - you see the stems that have the white flowers on them?  Those are called scapes.  They come out right before harvest.  When I dig the garlic I save them.  My wife will saute them.  They taste like garlic flavored asparagus.  So if you like asparagus it's excellent.

       Thanks,,  

  Although I washed them last season will not this season. Good to know about the scapes, knew that was what they were called. We love asparagus and will be trying these. I think I could incorporate them in other dishes also.  Some of lasts years wild garlic I peeled right away after I dug it. Put into foil with olive oil and S&P. Roasted the mixture. Put the stuff in a ziplock bag and into freezer. With the oil content it will frost up but not freeze. I can spoon it out and put on bread, toast or into other foods. Made some great sauces for pizza and pasta with it. So another question Stein, Ness too. I harvested when the stalks were turning brown and beginning to dry. Right time? Now to the scapes. Just read your last post. So not the little mini garlic looking baby bulbs? A bit confused here. The white covered tops open in into the little purple thingies? 

  BilletHead

[Stein]

Yes, they say to harvest when 1/3 of the leaves are turning brown.

The scape is the smooth round green stem between the main plant and the flower bulb on the end.  Don't eat the flower part, just the stem.  Like I said earlier, they are pretty hard so the take a bit longer to cook than fresh green beans or asparagus.  I don't cook so just relaying what the better half said. Olive oil, salt and pepper, saute and sample, cook until desired.

[Stein]

We are having scapes tonight.

[Stein]

One last thing, if you are going to plant garlic plant locally grown.  Don't plant store bought.  I haven't tried it but was told it won't grow.

Also save back the largest ones to plant back.  All of it will grow but you can continually increase the size of future crops by planting back the best specimens.

[BilletHead]

   Got that and good to know! Excited to try that. One more question. Remember there are not stupid questions please . Scape still useable when the plant is harvested at 2/3 leaves brown? My wild plants are still a way off. May have to harvest some scapes just to try them. From smaller plants that will not have large bulbs. Going back I see I started harvesting around July 4th. Not too far off,

  BilletHead

[Stein]

3 minutes ago, BilletHead said:

. Scape still useable when the plant is harvested at 2/3 leaves brown? My wild plants are still a way off. May have to harvest some scapes just to try them. From smaller plants that will not have large bulbs. Going back I see I started harvesting around July 4th. Not too far off,

  BilletHead

I don't know, haven't tried any at 2/3 brown.  I just cut mine off when I harvest the garlic.  As long as they are green and firm I suspect they would be fine.  I do think you can cut them off of live plants even if you don't harvest the plant without hurting the plant.

We typically plant Halloween, harvest July 4th but they are early this year.  As far south as you are I'm not sure if you will have better luck with fall or spring planting.  We plant that late so the ground is about ready to freeze so we don't get growth in the fall.  Just want it to scarify over winter.  I do know in more southern states they spring plant so they don't risk getting growth in the fall and then winter killing but obviously your wild stuff doesn't die even if it grows in fall so I just don't know...

Might have to test plant both seasons.  You might want to go to a later November planting for fall.

[ness]

They're good as the leaves turn more brown. Wouldn't worry about that too much. I've let mine go longer and they were fine. Just don't let them sit in soggy soil. BTW, didn't do garlic this year, but always planted in fall. Around mid-October. 

[ness]

Here's a garlic scape from a couple years back. Never did anything with them though.

 

[BilletHead]

16 minutes ago, ness said:

Here's a garlic scape from a couple years back. Never did anything with them though.

 

           Try to post photo again please .