The Official Farming Thread...

[Deputyrpa]

We have issues with black walnuts in our fields on the WMA. Dang squirrels bury them in some of the fields that aren’t in the rotation for a couple years, THEN you have problems!

Squirrels are tasty!

 

[Wilhelm]

They like being together.

 

[Deputyrpa]

They like being together.

View attachment 379414 View attachment 379415

Apparently they don't mind your company either.

 

[jakethesnake]

You garlic growin fellas. What’s the name of the bulbs you use. I wanna get some to try this fall but I don’t really know what I need or a source. Just trying to put them in the yard for a garden

 

[karrl]

Look for a hardneck variety if you’re buying online, if you have any hippy farmers or old people with a good garden around they’ll probably have some good stuff that’s perfect for your climate. I’ll get a picture shortly to show the difference between what we got from our neighbor and what we got from our distributor.

 

[karrl]

So now that I’m looking at it more I thinking that timing on the planting is really important too. The bigger rows were planted two weeks earlier in mid October and they’re much better established than the smaller stalks. Small stalks are from parts unknown and larger stalks are from the neighbor. So I still think it’s genetics but also the timing, I’m in zone 6a if that’s helpful.

 

[Deputyrpa]

View attachment 379479View attachment 379478
So now that I’m looking at it more I thinking that timing on the planting is really important too. The bigger rows were planted two weeks earlier in mid October and they’re much better established than the smaller stalks. Small stalks are from parts unknown and larger stalks are from the neighbor. So I still think it’s genetics but also the timing, I’m in zone 6a if that’s helpful.

I planted both hardneck and softneck in October. But only 48 cloves. The hardnecks came up first and are outgrowing the softnecks.

 

[karrl]

Those are both purple hardneck but the smaller stalks started as smaller bulbs and were planted later. The first year we grew garlic we did hard and softneck but we’ve always had better results with the hardneck.

 

[jakethesnake]

Those are both purple hardneck but the smaller stalks started as smaller bulbs and were planted later. The first year we grew garlic we did hard and softneck but we’ve always had better results with the hardneck.

When do you pick it?

 

[nbbt]

I planted Chesnok Red a hardneck last fall. I don't have that many to just pull to see what they look like as they still seem to be getting bigger, at least larger stalks/stems and they are very dark green yet.

Another variety I'd like to try is Music (will try to locate for this fall). It is suppose to grow well in my zone just north of Minneapolis, claimed to be easy to grow, large, all purpose, strong flavored garlic.

 

[karrl]

When do you pick it?

At least another month or so, but the scapes haven’t popped out yet. Should be soon but we’ve had cold nights and even frost last Thursday so who knows.

 

[nbbt]

No scapes here yet either.
What's the tell for garlic being done growing for the season. Scapes develop and then the stocks going yellow? OR?

 

[Deputyrpa]

Same - no scapes. I just checked after I read your post earlier. We had a frost a couple on nights ago.

 

[Wilhelm]

Apparently they don't mind your company either.

No they don't, on the contrary they come running when they see or hear me entering the back yard.
They are taught that they may get food, which they have no issues eating out of my hands.

 

[Deputyrpa]

No they don't, on the contrary they come running when they see or hear me entering the back yard.
They are taught that they may get food, which they have no issues eating out of my hands.

You're their Sugar Daddy!

 

[nbbt]

We didn't get frosty, but at 41, I was wondering why I left the windows open with the furnace OFF.

 

[nbbt]

I should have said the 41 overnite was early last week.

 

[Deputyrpa]

No scapes here yet either.
What's the tell for garlic being done growing for the season. Scapes develop and then the stocks going yellow? OR?

I'm only an expert garlic eater - not grower. I cut the scapes off as soon as I can, which apparently puts more energy into growing the cloves. I harvest mine when the plant starts declining.

I could be doing it wrong, so maybe @karrl can correct me.

 

[karrl]

I'm only an expert garlic eater - not grower. I cut the scapes off as soon as I can, which apparently puts more energy into growing the cloves. I harvest mine when the plant starts declining.

I could be doing it wrong, so maybe @karrl can correct me.

We just wait long enough to where we can get all the scapes at one time. Once they have at least one full curl they’re ready to go. Every once in a while we miss one and you end up with a smaller bulb.

As far as harvest, I wait until the 2-3 lowest leaves go brown and dry out, then I start pulling. We waited too long the first time and had bulbs of garlic without enough paper to protect the bulbs. It’s still usable but it doesn’t store for long.

 

[Wilhelm]

My dad "I wanted to make hay from that grass!", me "Yeah, right! YOU will make hay, didn't make any last year either and this year You are down to 3 rabbits."

I knoked it down, it can rot for all I care!
But I am not promoting snake habitats so close to our house.

The mower is his, it tends to run iffy but it behaved and didn't miss a beat today.
It is a behemoth to handle despite being selfpropelled.
It is a heavy beast, whenever the engine acts up it has to be "towed" back home.