Yes, definately read that thread. And also browse the back pages, as there is a wealth of information there for getting started. Some of the decisions to make, in no particular order: 1. Do you want heads with relatively few, but large, cloves. Or is a multi-cloved (i.e., artichoke) type your preference. 2. Hardneck or softneck? You can grow both in Iowa, but the hardnecks are liable to do better. And with hardnecks you get the added taste treat of the scapes. 3. Hot or mild taste? This is a nebulous point, both because taste perceptions are individual, and the variety actually can have different flavor, season to season. 4, Do you want just heads? Or do you want to grow green garlic as well? As to planting, the general approach is to fall plant. In your zone you can do this in October & November. Even as early as September, if you want. As long as the ground is workable, so that roots can develop before a hard freeze, is ok. Prepare the soil by amending it well. Garlic is a heavy feeder. In addition to compost, I add bone meal, blood meal, and wood ashes at the rate of 1 cup each per row foot. Work it in well. Pop the cloves (larger cloves produce larger heads, btw) and plant them, root side down, 2-3 inches deep, and 4-6 inches apart. Mulch is you prefer (that's an oft-depated question). The cloves may or may not sprout during the fall. Don't worry about it either way. In the early spring the garlic will start growing for real. Long about May, side-dress with the same amendments you used. That's really about all it takes, until harvest time. Except to keep the bed well weeded; garlic doesn't like the competition. Welcome to the addictive world of garlic growing.

Maureen57 I know exactly how you feel. I joined this forum 4 years ago and it saved my sanity. I haven't had a period for 3 years and before it stopped I had had at least 7 years of awful menopause symptoms. I thought I was beginning to get back to normal but in the past month I've been having nausea, dizziness, irritability, mood swings and sweats again! When I see how many others this is happening to I feel like just giving up. As I type this now I am in tears. I have never taken anything the doctor prescribed and only gone down the natural route. I have spent thousands of pounds on vitamins(which I regularly take)and hormone creams. I watch what I eat.What else can I/we do? I said to my husband just the other day that I preferred having periods to this! I'm 53 and don't want the rest of my life to be like this. Its a truly depressing thought. Once again, this forum will be my saving grace as I know I'm not the only one.

Hi Tim No we don't have restrictions, I receive seeds from all over, some even write wooden toy on the packaging for bulbs I receive. I would be happy to receive seeds from someone who actually grows them because many seeds bought on eBay don't germinate. Regards Vici

Hi i girls. I'm kind of new here (I signed up a while back to talk about holly trees that were sick, lol, now I'm here to talk about menopause). Yes, the zest for life in general can sometimes feel like a complete zero for me too but I try to surround myself with positive things to combat that. My pets, good friends, my gardens, of course, and forcing myself to take more of an interest in my job. I'm a legal secretary. I think it's all a matter of mind over matter because all of the above seems to be working. I logged on because I was looking for advice/help in dealing with the physical changes. That muffin top that appeared out of nowhere to the point where none of my clothes fit anymore! It's driving me nuts. I've always enjoyed a waistline and now it doesn't exist anymore. In the past six months it's all but disappeared. I googled menopausal bloating and it appears to be a very real thing that I'm going to tackle with a vengeance. If anyone here has any hints or advice on how to deal with this I'd be grateful. I've never had a weight problem and never had to diet, which I'm very thankful for. I'm 5'3" and was always in the 112-116 area. This extra flab around my waist is really bothering me and when I learned that the body transfers fat from your hips and thighs to your waist I was shocked. I had no idea that was part of this miserable thing called "menopause". Any advice is welcome. Feel better ladies. You're not alone and I hope you all find peace in this incredibly difficult journey. Debbie