I've had that in my backyard next to the neighbor's horse corral. If what I get in the front is trivialis, that is not trivialis as the trivialis is easy to pull up and that stuff isn't nearly so easy. The local guru identified it as either orchard grass or nutsage. She couldn't be more specific as I only had the roots and a couple of inches above that to show her. Weed B Gone may have had some affect on it but I think the KBG choked it out. We'll see later this summer.

It was a small group of 12 swappers but I think everyone went home with a new bounty of plants. I know a certain someone would had to carry things on their lap because the car was too full....lol We had a happy newbie couple that went home with some good plant material. Deidre, a fall swap? I will have to think about that, my Daughter is getting married November, 12th. Her bridesmaid chose to have her bridal shower here at my house on September, 11th. I have to plan and plant a cutting garden this week for the side of the yard next to the overhead. I told them I would grow all the centerpieces and do most of the food and drink. I don't know how ambitious I'll be feeling after that and the final wedding preparations will be full swing at swap time. Chai, it was my pleasure. As you saw, where I live I'm not able to show my gardens to passers by. It was nice to get feedback on what others thought about what I have done with my space. Looking forward to Thyme's swap next weekend. Hoping to have some time this week to dig a bit more.

Inulover - those bulbs should be good for planting. Did you take the bulb wrappers off the Glazed PS and the German White after harvest or did they lose their wrappers before harvest? I have no experience with vernalizing prior to planting in warm climates so I will let someone else comment on that. MrChip - Can you give us you location so we can better advise on when to harvest. There really is not a foolproof method to determine when to harvest. Basically when 40-50% of the green foliage has browned is recommended. I tend to error on the side of early rather than late and the weather forecast plays a big role for me. I do not like to harvest the garlic when it is muddy as I believe it makes it more difficult to cure the bulbs. As far as where to cure, a tent or canopy would work in a pinch but I would keep the garlic up off the ground at least. As long as you keep it dry, out of the sun, and provide good air flow it should be OK. Do you have a friend or relative that has a shed or outbuilding that you could use for a few weeks? I prefer to hang my garlic in bundles of 6-8 plants as it cures. I pulled the trigger on harvesting my Estonia Red yesterday. Only 15 planted and 15 harvested. This type was my worst last year for getting neck rot but no neck rot this year. I planted every clove from the only 3 bulbs that were still in good shape at planting time so a few of the seed cloves were rather small. Of the 15 harvested, 11 were over 2", 5 of those were over 2.5" with the largest at about 2 7/8". 2 appear to be rounds or small differentiate bulbs about 3/4". We are going to have mostly highs in the 90s starting in a few days which should hasten the garlic along and no rain in the forecast until June 13 so I may be harvesting more in the next week.

NHBabs: I see the ants swarming regularly, probably every few months, and always in the bluestone path. When I've pulled up the pavers to regrade I've seen extensive tunnels so there's a thriving colony or colonies under there. Mostly I just try not to step on them - the swarms don't last for long aboveground and don't affect me in any unpleasant way. What’s with the ant swarms in sidewalk cracks in summer? Claire