In The Bleak Midwinter: Planting Garlic

Traditionally, garlic is planted on the shortest day of the year, and harvested on the longest day. The idea is that the garlic will overwinter during the colder months, then start to sprout and grow as the ground warms up in the Spring. By Summer, the heads are full and ready to use, or to be cured and stored as needed.

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice falls on December 21st this year. Once again, I will break the cloves apart from a lovely garlic head and push each one about 2 inches down into the dirt. In turn, each clove will (hopefully) produce a whole new head of garlic for me to enjoy. I realize that many gardeners and farmers plant their garlic a few months earlier, but I wanted to try it the old-fashioned way this time. And, if all goes well, I will have a very tasty update for you in about six months!!

>o<