The Official Farming Thread...

[nbbt]

I'm on my 4th year of trying Garlic, Last year was the first that I had gotten the heads to form and split like one would hope for. I still got quite a few that turned into a large globe up to golf ball size. The fresh grown flavor was much better than got in stores or even at farmers markets.

 

[Seachaser]

We hang our garlic up to let it dry for a few weeks. Usually they start dying when the weather gets hot. But they come back every year.

 

[jakethesnake]

Did the same swap 4 years ago. Is yours a 2 speed or the newer 4 speed?
View attachment 375691

@jakethesnake What variety of Garlic do you usually produce?

Mines a 4 speed. Never change the belt around so honestly didn’t really even pay much attention

 

[karrl]

I'm on my 4th year of trying Garlic, Last year was the first that I had gotten the heads to form and split like one would hope for. I still got quite a few that turned into a large globe up to golf ball size. The fresh grown flavor was much better than got in stores or even at farmers markets.

We grow the purple hardneck variety, just bulbs we got from our neighbor. They came out great last year and we used our old bulbs to replant. If you’re having trouble with soil temperatures you could try black plastic or fabric on raised beds.

 

[jakethesnake]

We grow the purple hardneck variety, just bulbs we got from our neighbor. They came out great last year and we used our old bulbs to replant. If you’re having trouble with soil temperatures you could try black plastic or fabric on raised beds.

When should I have planted the garlic?

 

[nbbt]

@jakethesnake Last year I planted about 6 weeks before typical first frost. And covered with 4 - 6 inches of straw. I'm just north of Minneapolis MN.

 

[Lnk]

@jakethesnake Last year I planted about 6 weeks before typical first frost. And covered with 4 - 6 inches of straw. I'm just north of Minneapolis MN.

Does it require the ground to freeze during the winter? Not sure we can down here in zone 7 if it does. Would like to try though.

 

[nbbt]

I'm not sure if a freeze is required, with the varieties that are typically grown here my understanding is that the freeze help promote the single clove to split into multiples.
Note: my understanding of growing garlic is extremely limited.

 

[Lnk]

I'm not sure if a freeze is required, with the varieties that are typically grown here my understanding is that the freeze help promote the single clove to split into multiples.
Note: my understanding of growing garlic is extremely limited.

The spark has been lit, I will be researching garlic growing in the south. I love garlic, and the thought of better, grown at home garlic is alluring. Thanks for that!

 

[nbbt]

Did a growing garlic in tn (or your state/location) google search, I usually have the better results with information from a university extension site. There were several good links with suggestions similar to what we try here.

 

[Seachaser]

Does it require the ground to freeze during the winter? Not sure we can down here in zone 7 if it does. Would like to try though.

Nope. Ours is green from Fall to late Spring. Don’t have to replant. Put them anywhere that gets a good amount of water. We have them under the overhang of my shed, well pump, swimming pool pump, and about any outside faucet.

 

[karrl]

When should I have planted the garlic?

We plant around October when we get time and depending on the weather. Idk about spring planting but it might not be too late.

If you’re looking for nice personal harvest, try to find someone locally that has been doing it awhile in your area and see if they’ll set you up.

 

[beaglebriar]

I'm on my 4th year of trying Garlic, Last year was the first that I had gotten the heads to form and split like one would hope for. I still got quite a few that turned into a large globe up to golf ball size. The fresh grown flavor was much better than got in stores or even at farmers markets.

We plant it in the fall here. I've read that it needs to see freezing weather to divide properly. The first year I planted it in the spring some divided into cloves some didn't.
I planted some a couple weeks ago that had been in the fridge to fill in the bare spots in my patch... see what happens.

 

[beaglebriar]

The spark has been lit, I will be researching garlic growing in the south. I love garlic, and the thought of better, grown at home garlic is alluring. Thanks for that!

Google "garlic from China" if that doesn't motivate you to grow your own nothing will. Lol

 

[nbbt]

Garlic planted fall 2022, picture 4-29-23 Wire mesh to slow the tree rats from digging them up.

 

[old saw fixer]

darned tree rats!

 

[Wilhelm]

Little Indian Runner duck is unwell, won't eat nor drink, barely moves.
We force fed her a little and placed in a cardboard box next to the hot fireplace in my shop.
She is the Alpha, the other three ducks are noticing her absence.

 

[Seachaser]

Some Garlic that comes up every year.

 

[Wilhelm]

Little Indian Runner duck is unwell, won't eat nor drink, barely moves.
We force fed her a little and placed in a cardboard box next to the hot fireplace in my shop.
She is the Alpha, the other three ducks are noticing her absence.

View attachment 375912

Little duck is still with us, fighting.
We keep force feeding her, my mom has given her a tiny amount of antibiotics today to help her fight whatever is impairing her health.
She is drained of energy not having actively eaten 4-5 days (FYI Indian Runner ducks eat non stop as they have next to no body mass, kinda like a sparrow).
She is trying to follow her siblings around the yard and she tried grooming herself today.

Hold on little one!

 

[ajschainsaws]

Got an audience today