garlic

I planted late garlic in January this year for the first time and it is now ready however some of the bulbs have tiny worms on them when I dig them up. These seem to have damaged some of the smaller bulbs but the larger ones seem fine. Has anyone else noticed this? Also, should you wash the bulbs before or after they have been dried? Different books seem to offer different advice.

 

Once the bulbs have dried out I would brush them clean and remove the dirty outer skin, rather than wash them as this can make them vulnerable to storage diseases.

I have had cloves that have been 'nibbled' at by something and just cut off the nibbled bit...and eaten the rest without problem..

I use lots of garlic in cooking but also on cuts and grazes I split a clove and rub the open side onto the wound, which clears them up in no time ....also as a remedy for a sore throat .....I chew a clove or two! :eek: clears up in no time ! ... as the rest of the France seems to use just as much garlic as I do there is no offence taken :D :D M-L

 

Hi I have just lifted my Garlic from the garden, how is it best to store them, I read the bit about brushing not washing.

I left it a bit late to lift consequently they have no leaves to tie together, I guess store them in a cardboard box in the shed or garage??

It seems early to be harvesting Garlic an I right??

Dave

 

David, I would store them in an open terracotta pot in a dry and airy atmosphere.. regarding the time of year for harvesting .. here we can usually lift it early June . .. I find that we are usually 8/12 weeks in advance of UK gardens, depending on region, so if you are harvesting now I supppose it is early... M-L

[ 18. July 2006, 12:22 PM: Message edited by: Mona Lisa ]

 

Mona Lisa, do you know if the garlic works on midgie bites too, to rub them on? I love working in the garden but I get midgie bites in no time and quite often the bites get infected really badly - the whole area swells up like a blimp and gets very taut and I hate it, but have not yet found anything that gives relief!

 

For post-harvest garlic care:
http://www.bloomingfieldsfarm.com/garbrdhow.html
Just remove the outer skin, don't wash :eek:

 

Wishaw, I haven't used garlic for bites, to be honest I don't suffer from midge/mosquito bites ...either I've got used to them or vice versa ... but no harm in giving it a try ... it won't do any harm ....M-L

 

Thanks for the reply Mona Lisa
I have brushed off the loose dirt and put them in an open terracotta pot in the garage. I have a few small cloves, when should I plant them back in the ground??

Thanks

Dave

 

Hi wishaw,if you peel a tatie and slice it,put those slices in a bowl of water for a few minuites then rub or dab the tatie onto your skin,you will get some relief.it is great for sun burn and prickly heat.its the startch.sounds daft but ive gone as far as to bathe in it, it really does work! :D

 

Dave, Although you can plant in the Spring, Autumn planting over there is about the best time as this will give you better sized bulbs to harvest... M-L