It’s not apple blossom time in Annapolis Valley, that is for sure, but it is garlic planting time in your home garden if you have a hankering for an ample supply of spice in your life this coming year.
It has long been known that garlic has many attributes aiding the body health wise. It was apparently given to the slaves who built the Egyptian pyramids in order to enhance their strength and endurance. Garlic is not a difficult plant to grow.
I usually plant it in a sunny location, in what I refer to as a double row, about eight inches apart, and likewise eight inches apart in each row. Plant it in deep tilled soil about two to three inches deep, pointy end up, and cover the surface of the ground liberally with a good mulch.
I’m rather lucky with the latter as I have always been able to mulch with aged manure, which breaks down nicely over the growing period, feeding the plant the nutrients necessary for healthy growth. Keep garlic weeded, it prefers to not have competition.
While on the subject of fall action in the garden, if you happened to have an over abundance of tomatoes, as we have this year, don’t be afraid to pick the green ones before heavy frosts, wrap them in newspaper and store them in a cool dark place. It will be necessary to check them twice weekly as they will ripen spasmodically. Biblically quoting, “Seek and ye shall find,” and you could well, as the Little Lady and I often had, tomatoes from your own garden right up to Christmas time.
Just as a passing thought: now is a good time to set out your new raspberry and strawberry plants.
Because of my move I didn’t get mine planted here on the farm until mid-June this year but they did not seem to mind. I am still getting better than a quart of both each second day. Those that are not eaten fresh are washed and frozen. They will make good jam and pies for winter consumption.
Perhaps I should mention that both raspberry and strawberries grown here are of the ever-bearing type.
The next couple of weeks are going to be interesting for me as we will be planting several hundred potted trees, of five different varieties, re-establishing the wild area around the pond that was totally devastated during the tornado of two years ago.
Included are six weeping willows, over ten feet tall after only two years growth. I think I am going to plant them exactly one hammock length apart and about a fishing pole length away from the shore line. Would I be wrong in doing that? I think not.
Take care ‘cause we care.
barrie@barriehopkins.ca
519-986-4105