What's Growing in the Garden

Thanks, I look into the test paper. I could do multiple areas in my garden cheaply. If the meters don't work, I too would rather not waste money on them.
Tired of all my questions yet? My Mom swore she was going to change my name to "Why" because I asked questions all the time. Sorry I can't contribute with anything pertinent, because my experience just doesn't fit this forum.

So, how do you save Garlic bulbs from year to year? I buy store bought Garlic and it shrivels and drys out it a cabinet. In the frig it rots.

and you plant Fall garlic?

Thanks in advance.
 
I have used the little kits Kyle mentioned to test for pH and they are easy to use since they contain everything you need. Everyplace that sells garden supplies usually has those.

As to garlic. Never try to use garlic or potatoes from the grocery store as 'seed'. They all are treated with sprout inhibitors to extend shelf life and they won't grow normally. Additionally, what you see in the grocery store are almost entirely softneck varieties which are really not suited for Northern areas. I only grow hardnecks varieties although there are some softnecks I could grow, I don't bother with them.

After harvest, the garlic hangs in my machine shed until fall /winter when I bring it in to keep it from freezing. I store them along with onions and potatoes in basement stairwell that is in a unheated garage. They will usually last until February or so before they either dry up or sprout. By that time though. I've roasted and froze most of it to use during the year.

Harvest garlic in July, hangs in the shed until October/early November when I plant for the next year. Before the ground freezes, it puts out a good root system. In very early spring it emerges and begins to put out leaves. Give them a shot of N fertilizer approx April first and again May first.
 
This is today's inside project. Cutting up and blanching/freezing broccoli. About four gallons of cut up florets.

PXL_20220705_213445712.webp
 
I checked the garlic seller and many others, and it's amazing how many varieties there are out there. Can't believe so many are out of stock. The prices are a little crazy, too 10 per bulb plush shipping (I think I already mentioned I'm a cheap SOB). I had a company picked out and two varieties, but I can't seem to find it know. So I think I'll just learn a little more about them, get a spot ready for them and order next Spring.

I use to plant Gerber Daisies in planters for my porch. Hard to grow but I did manage to Winter one or two of them inside. I've since switched to Gazanias. This year they're a little slow to grow. I managed to Winter one this past year and it looked pathetic. Thought I lost it. I transplanted it this Spring and it's really taken off. Still learning about its needs. Doesn't seem to like too much sun or water. A little finicky.

IMG_1198.webp

IMG_1199.webp
 
Peas and baby potatoes. I always hope to have them for the 4th of July. Missed by a week this year 😃 IMG_20220710_084222236.webp
 
djg said:
I checked the garlic seller and many others, and it's amazing how many varieties there are out there. Can't believe so many are out of stock. The prices are a little crazy, too 10 per bulb plush shipping (I think I already mentioned I'm a cheap SOB). I had a company picked out and two varieties, but I can't seem to find it know. So I think I'll just learn a little more about them, get a spot ready for them and order next Spring.

I use to plant Gerber Daisies in planters for my porch. Hard to grow but I did manage to Winter one or two of them inside. I've since switched to Gazanias. This year they're a little slow to grow. I managed to Winter one this past year and it looked pathetic. Thought I lost it. I transplanted it this Spring and it's really taken off. Still learning about its needs. Doesn't seem to like too much sun or water. A little finicky.

View attachment 228874

View attachment 228875
Click to expand...
Most garlic growers haven't yet harvested what they'll be selling this year, remember it get's planted in the fall. Local farmers markets can be a good source and in the fall many areas have large garlic festivals that can be the best source and reasoably priced.
 
We have for the past few years planted out own bulbs from the late summer harvest. I really don't recall the variety's, one is red the other white. We used to purchase them, but it seems that the price of purchased bulbs has gotten so high that you may as well just buy your garlic. You could probably just purchase some locally grown garlic at a farmers' market and plant it. By purchasing from a local grower, you can be assured that it's hardy for your area. Oh, by the way we are having new potatoes and garlic scapes roasted on the pellet grill tonight, along with boiled fresh peas. Trying to talk the wife into a strawberry rhubarb pie, I think she is going to the farmstand to get berries so theirs's hope.
 
sprucegum said:
..... Oh, by the way we are having new potatoes and garlic scapes roasted on the pellet grill tonight, along with boiled fresh peas. Trying to talk the wife into a strawberry rhubarb pie, I think she is going to the farmstand to get berries so theirs's hope.
Click to expand...
Oh Man that sounds GOOD! I haven't had fresh garden peas in years. They don't come up or the rabbits get them. Takes me back to when I was a kid. Mom would make boiled peas and small potatoes. Thanks for the memory.
 
djg said:
Oh Man that sounds GOOD! I haven't had fresh garden peas in years. They don't come up or the rabbits get them. Takes me back to when I was a kid. Mom would make boiled peas and small potatoes. Thanks for the memory.
Click to expand...
That's how I like them, my mom used to boil them then put them together with milk gravy. My grandson is here today so I'm roasting the potatoes because he lives them that way. Barring a disaster of some sort we should be picking peas for the next 3 weeks so plenty of time for other recipes. My grandson and wife settled on strawberry rhubarb crisp with ice cream for dessert
 
Tallest ones are a good foot over my 5' 11” head and just loaded with immature pods and blossoms. They will continue to grow and blossom as long as conditions are right. Eventually hot weather and one fungus or another will do them in. I'm already seeing some yellowing leaves. IMG_20220711_113151967.webp
 
One last harvest of cherry tomatoes and that's it for this season. This heat wave this year has everything scorched and I can't keep enough water in their containers to make it worthwhile. Yesterday it was 105 degrees here and parched. Forecast shows high pressure moving to the west allowing sea breeze to come in and increasing chances of rain to 30%. We'll see

1657555385910.webp
 
My peas (Little Marvels) never get more than 2' high. Those are amazing. Grown on a cattle panel?

The leaves on my potatoes are drying up already, While weeding, I pulled up a plant. This is all the potatoes I got off the plant. When I do dig them up, I don't get much more than that.

Tame Blackberries are coming in but not as thick as normal.

IMG_1202.webp

IMG_1201.webp
 
Last edited:
It's been unusually dry here this summer and I am not looking for much of a potato crop. They are still green and growing well . The pea fence is just inexpensive jute twine hooked to poor quality boards from my mill. I just cut it down with the vines and compost the whole mess. We have plenty of wild black berries in the woods, some years they have a good crop and we pick some.
 
When I bought my property for my house, it had a 150' or so row of wild blackberries, which I picked. One year I got 12 gallons. They've since gotten overgrown with weeds and the berries are small. been tempted to mow them over and let them re-sprout through the weeds. Might have mentioned it before.
 
Ahhhh, my lineup of runway beauties is about over - the best was last.

Started the season (have already posted - but here's a couple more late ones) with my fabulously flamboyant frilly can-can fun girls kicking up their legs - the daylilies.

1657576632363.png 1657577230387.png

Then for the surprise of the year (I forgot I planted them) - the luscious lacy filigree teddies demurely yet passionately floating on the gentle breezes showing off their finest - Phlox

1657577363835.png 1657578445565.png

To the bawdy and teasingly ribald, provacatively pantalooned and petticoated danseuse that give their all to the breezes that blow their skirts up - the hardy hibiscus. They may be big girls - but they know how to move!

1657578522654.png

One warning about the hibiscus - not all are demure - some just got dirty thoughts!
1657578800712.png

To the last and LONG-awaited thrill of my year - the salacious, sultry, smoky sirens of samba and scent. The exotic, elegant, entrancing, ambrosial - Oriental Lilies. I fall to my knees at their refinement. They know how pretty they are and not ashamed of advertising it by leaving traces of their lipstick as you gently brush against their brashness. Just a walk past them in the gentle soft stillness of almost dusk, and I'm blown away by their heavenly fragrant demeanor!

1657579216011.png 1657579409272.png 1657579577499.png 1657579682500.png

​


​

 
Last edited:
djg said:
So which would you buy? The seeds or the "acorns"?
www.ebay.com

Garlic, Chesnok Red Garlic Seeds 500+ SEEDS NON-GMO healthy USA garlic seeds | eBay

A versatile garlic holds its origins in the Republic of Georgia, and is said to be one of the best for cooking and has in fact won several “Best for Baking” contests. Holds its shape and flavor well when cooked.
www.ebay.com

Just looking around.
Click to expand...
I'd stay away from anybody selling "true" seed. That is actual seeds, not bulbs or bulbils. Very few garlic varieties actually produce seed, and most of them are being used in garlic breeding programs at Universities.

Some people will refer to bubils as seed, but they are essentially mini cloves that are produced on the end of scapes. You can grow garlic from the bulbils, but the resulting plants will be small and the yield low.

Stick to getting full bulbs and then planting the individual cloves. If you can't find any, come October I'll send you some of the varieties I have. I produce more than I ever use and would be happy to share some. However, you'll have to remind me, there's no way I'll ever remember by October. :unknown:
 
I don't got veggies - jes flowers. Don't judge! But here's somewhat of a rarity when I first started growing it, and it was an endangered species at the time. It needs full sun, great drainage and very limestoney/poor soil. Only place I have like that is in a very small patch next to the mailbox, where apparently a lot of crushed limestone gravel made it's way when the street was built. Tennessee purple coneflower - Echinacea tennesseensis

1657824502600.png

Thought to be extinct for quite some time until late 60's when three patches were found near Nashville in the cedar glade area and put on the endangered species list. I started growing them in the 80's when I finally was able to snatch some seed. In 2011 they were taken off the endangered species list. In my yard they seem to breed with the Echinacea purpurea and I have volunteer progeny exhibiting traits of both parents.
 
Last edited:
Mike, I got some seed of E. tennesseensis about 10 years ago and germinated a few to add to my native wildflower area. Had them for a few years until (I think) they just couldn't compete with other plants that have since taken over. After seeing yours, may have to give them a try again when I get the current mess of wildflowers sorted out, in a year or two....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top