In early adulthood I was lured to the dark side by oregano, thyme, tarragon, rosemary. And mostly that addictive garlic. I can't name a dish that wouldn't be enhanced by the addition of a clove or two of this glorious bulb. Well, maybe quiche. But then real men don't eat quiche anyway.
Through the years I've attempted growing some of my own garlic with less than satisfactory results. A few years ago my daughter and I took in an area garlic festival. A great preview of Heaven in my book. Chatting it up with some local growers I learned a few of the finer points about cultivating this member of the family Alliaceae. I was doing it all wrong. You plant garlic in the Fall of the year after the first frost, like tulips and other bulbs. The plants grow a bit before freeze-up and then die back. The young roots will continue to develop through the Winter. Garlic is hungry and requires ample fertilizer. I use about 2 pounds of 5-10-10 for my 100 plant bed at planting time. I tried a couple of types of seed from that local grower and settled on a stiff necked variety that seemed best suited for my garden conditions.
Seeing those bright green spearlike leaves appear soon after Spring thaw kind of jump starts my gardening activities each year. Now in mid June it's better than waist high and sending up blossom stalks. Interesting things that form a loop near the top. The blossoms themselves are nothing to look at and the resulting seeds while drawing on plant strength won't produce a desirable crop. So off with their heads! The stalks are quit tender and flavorful making them a delightful ingredient for soups,salads, omelets, etc.
Sometime in late July or August the leaves will turn brown and die back. That's the time to dig up the bulbs and lay them out in the sun for a few days to form that characteristic parchment covering. Then I gently bush off remaining soil and cut off the roots and stems. Since I only grow the stiff necked variety now braiding them for display isn't an option. The largest bulbs are set aside for the next planting. The remainder will spend the Winter in a net onion sack hanging in the breezeway. An inviting potpourri to welcome holiday guests.
I can taste that December pot of spaghetti sauce already.
