Tags:

Growing Practices: No Pesticides No Herbicides No Fungicides No Synthetic Fertilizers

Latin Name: Allium Sativum

Description:

When I first brought this little beauty back to the farm from the Okanogan Barter Faire 7 years ago, I was blown away by its versatility. A variety we could harvest the 1st of July at 48 degrees N, wow! And to boot, the flavor was mighty and crisp when raw and smooth and mellow when cooked through. More good news - Fat, round, easy to peel cloves with beautiful tannish skin that has purple stripes makes it easy on the eyes as well. Not many grow this little beauty, so savour all she has to offer!

Our happy little ranch uses all aspect of organic and biodynamic farming practices to achieve the highest quality food, or medicine, as we like to think of our garlic as. Grown with love and attention, whether planting or eating, the care we take will shine through. Enjoy!

Growing Tips:

Garlic loves loose, well drained soil with lots of organic matter and nitrogen. I test and balance my soil with micronutrients as well. Garlic is one of the best Selenium assimilators in the veggie world, so don't for get it! If your soil drains well, keep it moist (if you can ball it up and it doesn't crumble or isn't slimy it is at the right moisture content) until about 2 - 3 weeks before harvest then pull off all water. Give it an extra boost in the spring and early summer with an organic nitrogen source and it also responds well in the early spring to foliar fed fish or kelp meal. If you have mulched over winter make sure you remove the mulch once it warms up to let the soil warm up and to discourage molds and fungi. Then the weeding begins! The most important thing to growing nice garlic is to keep a clean field. I can't stress this enough! Harvest should begin when you have about 50% of the leaves turn yellow. After you prepare your soil, plant deeper if you intend not to mulch in cold climates, otherwise, just poke it in with your thumb about an inch deep rake to cover and mulch if you are in a hard freezing climate. Good luck!