Michael, really appreciate the update. Hope to talk more garlic with you and other zone 8-9-10+ folks in the future, as it is definitely a challenge to grow garlic well in the warmer zones, and especially in the South. Hopefully we can all learn from each other and continue to refine our techniques and variety selections. Wonder why pre-chilling for warm zone growers isn't mentioned or discussed in detail more often. I've googled the heck out of it, and there just doesn't seem to be a lot of folks talking about doing it in detail (at least that I could find anyway). And/or, the advice tends to be mixed. I briefly thought about trying it before, but didn't. In any case I am very glad I saw this thread and plan to do some pre-chilling next time. I've grown smaller amounts of garlic on and off for several yrs now, but only started to get serious about it in fall of '07 - for my harvest last spring. Yesterday and today, I harvested a lot of the garlic. Dug all the artichoke types, the one Asiatic/Turban I was growing (Red Janice), and a couple of creole types as they just screamed "ready." Not many leaves left on the ones I dug (and the ones left in are starting to go fast), so I can't leave them much longer or I might lose "storage" layers of wrapper. Unfortunately, early May weather is really hot here this yr - already 90's with heat index up to 100's. Definitely got hot faster than last May. Not good for the garlic, and also for getting much more significant fruit set on my March planting of tomatoes. I am growing Siberian this yr too, and it is still in. The "fan" of leaves is just now starting to go now, and plenty of green ones left towards the center. I can already tell though by feel of the bulbs, that this is going to turn out very nicely, large and good clove formation. Leaving in just a little longer, but will watch leaves carefully/daily. Will definitely grow this one again. Metechi (another mps) is still in, but I think it is going to be a bit smaller than the Siberian, even though I can feel that has formed cloves. It did okay for me last yr, not outstanding but "avg", but I thought I would try again because of the favorable comments on the Gourmet Garlic Gardens site - he says it is one of the very best for him, go figure. Of the Artichokes I harvested today, Red Toch, Chet's Italian Red, and Lorz turned out the best. For the most part, large bulbs (for here anyway -- 2-2.5") and good clove formation. Inchelium Red also did well, so this makes 2 yrs in a row for me of good results with this var - and another good one for storage, IME. Asiatic/Turban types have given me inconsistent results overall, I rend to get a lot of rounds. One I tried last yr that did well was Red Janice, and it managed to consistently form cloves again this time, but bulbs a bit smaller than last time. Stores well. Creole Red did well for me, as it also did last yr. Cuban Purple (also creole) did well too, first time with it. Here is a link that might be useful: garlic album

Krista; Thanks for bringing this topic. I needed the responses. Dawn - I planted garlic.. a few weeks ago. I placed a control in a pot of loose potting soil. I'm noticing the clay to "somewhat" hinder the garlic growth when eye-balled with the control. The control is nice dark healthy green leaves and the bulbs are growing quicker. We've received a portion or all of the rainfall, recently. The ground is very wet with my amended clay. Those in ground are growing greens slowly and the "green" is not a rich dark healthy green like the control. (Note: I sent in for soil testing. Will get that back in about 10 days.) The roots are deep, right? You mention "tilling". So it's okay to sort of lift and scratch at the soil to let air in? If I find any that are too wet, what do you advise? Thank you for the details on the weeding. I'm going to be more aggressive. Really, how wide does the weed-free zone really need to be? I planted them in a way that a small portion of the bulb is showing and/or placed the bulb just beneath the soil. Luckily, I have timothy hay to use as a mulch. How deep do I need to place this mulch? I have some humus from an old wood compost. Would it help to put that on top or in the soil around them? Perhaps it'll be better to leave them alone lol We are unusually wet this year. Thanks everyone for the comments. I'm glad to know I don't need to fret too much over garlic and that I can plant some more. I really don't have enough planted. Bon

Just stopped in to say Hi to everyone. Dan so glad you got your surprise! I am looking forward to the fall swap and with God's help, John will have had his transplant and be healthy again. If I miss the posting for the swap later in the year, I am counting on you all to let me know. I had a picture of all my rooted plants all potted up but I was cleaning pictures out of my FULL camera and must have accidently erased it. They all went into the new hoop house my husband built me (except the house plants and banana). All the cuttings went into the propagator. I put the 3 cut potatoes into large pots and will either leave them there or very carefully transplant them out into a larger home when the frost has past...but it will probably be too late by then. I still have 10 more potatoes to plant, YIPEE, when the time is right. I put all the iris into a huge pot and am sure it will be beautiful. Later in the year, they should have multiplied (as iris do) and then I can divide and replant out in permanent beds. I was hoping to get some flower beds together this year but it probably won't happen until the fall now. Of course the more stressed I get, the more work I seem to get done LOL. I get a nervous energy that I wish I could package..well that and insomina due to worry (that I could do without). I still have to figure out what to do with the garlic since technically it should be planted in the fall. I think I can plant into pots or garden and let grow in the summer and then transplant in the fall. I have some growing in the hoop house now that I planted last fall (if you look at my blog you will see where) behind the lettuce. My next job is to make a list of 1) everything already planted 2) everything in the propagator and 3) what I have left to plant (potatoes and garlic). I want to put this on my blog. I especially want to be able to update the blog later to let everyone know how my plants are doing. Oh yeah, Jordan was over for a couple hours last night and just kept saying OH COOL! when we looked at all the plants...and of course she helped me pot up a few things. Well gotta TRY to sleep as I work the next 2 days, 12 hour shifts. If it is not too crazy at work, I may have a few minutes to check in. Kim Here is a link that might be useful: Kim's blog

Ok, we have one guest room with 2 single beds and another with a queen-sized sofa bed, plus a sofa in the living room, and room for sleeping bags. You guys can work out the arrangements, but the doors are open. The recipes weren't in yesterday's paper, so probably next week. I'll post a new thread in the main forum when the time comes. David, Christopher Ranch is the Official supplier to the festival. And minced is preferred over crushed, which won't keep its garlicky goodness in heat, but would be okay in dishes unheated or lightly so. And Jim, that was just our normal garlic here, but it was from a current harvest, as I recall. It's harder to get primo garlic in the middle of the winter. Most of the US garlic now is actually grown in the Central Valley, because of soil problems in Gilroy, but the processors are still there. But even Christopher Ranch sells Chinese-grown garlic under its label, I'm afraid. You can still smell the garlic as you drive through on 101, but it's not as strong as it used to be. ;-( One of the fun things at the Festival is a garlic-braiding area where you can get lessons and try your hand at braiding your own. There was always a crowd when we walked by. Oh, how I thought of all you, my friends, while we were there, and I knew you'd all enjoy it.