In this area (Maryland, Pennsylvania), the usual custom is to plant before Columbus Day (Oct 10), but opinion varies on this matter, and some say to plant right after the first frost. So, clear away that snow (snow? Isn't it still October?!), prepare your beds and get planting!
First, you need to get some good quality garlic to plant. Garlic cloves act as individual seeds, with each clove producing a bulb. We recommend getting large cloves from your local farmers market, or from us here in the store!
There are two main varieties of garlic - hardneck and softneck. Most of the garlic sold in supermarkets is of the softneck variety, as it tend to be easier to store, and the cloves are smaller than the hardneck variety.
Here in the garden at Lovely Manors, we have just planted our preferred type, the hardneck. We like the large bulbs, but we especially like the beautiful garlic scapes that grow in the Spring and Summer.
Garlic scapes are the flower stalks that the garlic produces as it matures. The scapes grow straight then start to curve and curl, creating an interesting visual effect in your garden. Don't let them go too far though...when the garlic is producing a flower, its energy is focused on the flower rather than the bulb, leading to smaller bulb development (and less garlic for you!). Cut the scape off as low as possible to the center of the plant. Some people save the scapes and use them as decoration, or even to flavor food (it has a more delicate taste than garlic proper).
Once you have your cloves ready, you need to make sure the bed you intend to plant them in is ready too! Garlic mixes well with other plants, and prefers a sunny spot, with soil that is not too damp and is rich in organic matter. We plant ours in raised beds, and they do really well. Plant each clove upright (the same way up they would be in a bulb....pointed end up), about 3" deep and 6" apart. You can spread a layer of straw over the planted area if you like, which will help insulate the soil.
Then all you have to do is wait...add a little water, and wait some more...(water if there's a dry spell, otherwise let Mother Nature take care of it. Water as the weather heats up and the ground dries out before harvest.) Keep an eye out for the first green shoots which should appear in early Spring.
Garlic is generally hardy, but is susceptible to some diseases such as rot. Good drainage helps to prevent this problem.
Fall planted garlic is ready to harvest around June/July, when around 50% of the green leaves have turned brown. Use a fork to ease the bulbs out of the ground, or just pull them up if the ground is soft enough.
Once you have harvested your garlic, you will need to dry it so it can be stored and used as and when you need it. Hang your harvest in a warm, dry place for three weeks until they dry out. Once they have cured, you should store them unbroken in a cool dark place.
We love to roast garlic....here's a quick and easy way to do it:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Cut about ½ inch off the top of the head of garlic. Peel off any loose skin.
Place garlic in a small ovenproof dish, cut side up and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Cover the dish with foil and bake in the oven for around 1 hour, until the cut side is lightly browned and cloves are soft.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before squeezing the paste from the cloves.
Try roasted garlic mashed into potatoes or spread on crusty bread, drizzled with olive oil. Yum!
