Bump and a question. MHG, if you catch up, let us know what you think about my garlic shrinkage. 3.5" ones are down to 3" and 3" ones down to 2 3/4 to 2 7/8" You told me they had a lot of moisture and this might happen. The curing part had me scratching my head. I watched the skins shrink defining the cloves. The outer skins got very dry and I lost most of them cleaning.Not all off each bulb, just the outer one off every one. The next good skins weren't as pretty as the outers were. Is there any way to know when to stop curing and start storing? Should I put all the replanting garlic in the fridge until I plant?

Bump!

I love this thread! Want to make sure not a single soul misses it!

Decided to bump up this thread,due to some garlic questions on Over The Fence, and post a link on each.

Bumping for Barb's Garden

Lisa, Thanks for the bump.

David- This is like a how-to-book. Thank you so much for sharing.

Sorry Dave, when Barb and Lisa bumped this up I reliesed I hadn't answered your ??? .

Your shrinkage is normal and to be expected. It's also why I don't shoot for VL market garlic as it shows the dehydration much more. Medium sized bulbs ( 2-2.5" ) have a greater market shelf value, one of the reason's being; dehydration ratio-to-mass, they show the effects less noticeably.

Normal storage ( dry and dark ) up until two weeks before planting, then a quick "winter" in your fridge is all you really need. It can go in sooner than that, but you have to watch your humidity, as that's what triggers the nodule growth ( the little white bumps on the garlic cloves butt ).

Have I ever mentioned it's a good idea to be sucking on a clove of garlic as you plant....??

Hi MHG, thanks. I was reading the book Growing Great Garlic today and the writer Ron said he didn't use his biggest for replanting.Same reasoning, dehydration. He used the second biggest ones, like I sent you and lisaann. I also read that the cloves don't store well once removed. I stripped a big one for the fair 2 weeks ago and the cloves are sitting in a baggie. I am 6 weeks from planting. Should I try a very early planting experiment with some, eat them or punt?

My opinion is:

If you plant too early and you get too much top growth, your chances for winter kill are higher!

They haven't sprouted yet, have they? You know what I mean, green growth out of the top? I would hang on to them as long as possible!

If they sprout, then, I guess I would plant them.

They still look like when I popped them. I may plant a few 2 weeks early just for grins. Sometimes we don't get real cold until Dec. 10th or so. It may work! If not, experiment 145 of year 2007 didn't work.

keep for planting stock unless you see noticeable degridation, which turns it into table fodder........

quote:

Have I ever mentioned it's a good idea to be sucking on a clove of garlic as you plant....?? Wink

Is that for the good garlic juju? Wait till you try mine next July! Pretty hot, raw

Mornin' Dave.

Yep; helps to put the WhammaJamma in the power of your positive thoughts and keep them focused at the task at hand.......

Did I miss the tip for new growers that those of us that aren't virgins any more often take as "common knowledge" as to the fact that garlic cloves should be planted basil plate down...? Or if you are one of those that see's things from a different perspective; pointy end up....

I kept my old scapes and cleaned them. I was saving them for making mobiles. I will take a pic to show you guys. I must have gotten my up and down confused on a couple, The poor scape had to do a 180 to grow. ooops!Some of the cloves are more obvious than others re: showing the basal plate

just a hip-shakin' bump.....

bump