JL Johnson Dec 11, 2023

I did all the productive things this weekend. Including planting 230 garlic cloves. Really cutting it close this year, but I’m glad it’s done.

My future self will be proud.

ALSO: Guessing this will be my last post for #Zone6A. We were reassigned to #Zone6B for next year.

Edit: 130 to 230. I’m tired and can’t math 😭

Show threadJL Johnson 

**Editing to let you know there’s a follow-up post w/ results below.**

RE replied to post from above. It's now the future (yay!) and our garlic is nearing completion. Crazy to me how it's already almost time for harvest.

Every year I do a super subjective recap on our various varieties (5, soft and hard neck) and how they went for us here in #zone6B (formerly #zone6A.)

Planning on doing the same this year. I guess my question is-- Does anyone care? ha-ha.

#garlic #gardening

Jun 10, 2024 at 5:20pmWeb
Show threadJL Johnson Jun 22, 2024
I've been working on the garlic, all the live long daayyyyy... And I'll have an update on how this year's harvest went, hopefully by EOD.
Show threadJL Johnson Jul 3, 2024

OK so here’s my unscientific #garlicharvest recap: Here in the KC’ burbs #zone6B (formally #zone6A) we can grow hard neck and soft neck. Most years I’m disappointed in the softs, this year too. Can’t recommend any.

As far as hard: Music (from Baker Creek) was my least impressive. It’s our 3rd year with it. Each year I have fewer seed quality (large) heads. I’ll try again once more, but not holding my breath.

German Hardneck and Chesnok Red, both from KC Community Gardens were OUTSTANDING. Super impressed.

#garlic #gardening #KC

Show threadJL Johnson Jul 3, 2024
@metacat @NearerAndFarther @GwenfarsGarden @GiddingsMJ Howdy! I just posted the garlic recap we chatted about a few weeks ago should be part of this threaded conversation. I hope it is helpful. Be well.
Show threadTrevor BurrowsJul 8, 2024
@User47
Awesome - thanks for this!
Show threadJL Johnson Dec 8, 2024

Greetings, five months later. We just busted up the seed heads from this year’s harvest.

I’m just blown away by the Chesnok Red. It vastly out performed. Such an insane producer, with GIANT cloves. It’s also beautiful. I’m in love. 🥰

This was our last year for soft neck just a lot of disappointment across many varieties.

Also: 24-25 might be our last year for the music hard neck. Not impressed.

#garlicharvest #zone6B #zone6A #garlic #gardening #KC-ish

Show threadJL Johnson Dec 8, 2024
We tried to be super picky in selecting cloves to replant this year. So the good news is we have a large mixing bowl full of individual cloves… the clock is ticking on them. Anyone have favorite ways to use lots of garlic? Cc @czarbucks
Show threadDB Schwein1d ago

@User47 @czarbucks

You can always freeze them, (chop/puree optional) 😁

Hmmmm, now I'm craving all the garlic! 🧄

Show threadEdgeDec 8, 2024

@User47

First dish planned?

Show threadJim Hinds KCDec 8, 2024
@User47 Tell me more about the Chesnok at the chapter meeting thursday!
Show threadJL Johnson Dec 8, 2024
@JimHindsKC deal!
Show threadכָּלב Jul 3, 2024
@User47 When did the zone change?
Show threadJL Johnson Jul 4, 2024
@kolev last fall 🫤
Show threadlaura lemayJul 4, 2024
@User47 Try Music from another grower, it’s been nothing but stellar for me. baker creek has some quality issues, imho
Show threadGiddingsMJJun 10, 2024
@User47 I care! I'm a 6a/6b gardener, too.
Show threadTrevor BurrowsJun 10, 2024
@User47
Thinking about doing garlic for the first time later this year and am zone 6 - would love a recap!
Show threadJL Johnson Jun 10, 2024
@NearerAndFarther Nice, OK perfect timing then. It is such an easy crop to grow. Always reliable and so enjoyable. My one and only complaint is every year I plant more and we're running out of room for other stuff. So be warned of a possible addiction
Show threadLinda BallingerJun 10, 2024
@User47 Yes, please! Also a question from this 1st time garlic grower: should I stop watering garlic at some point before harvesting? (also 6B, hardneck, just harvested scapes last week) #gardening
Show threadJL Johnson Jun 10, 2024

@metacat Yes! Typically you want to stop watering week before harvest, or wait a week after a rain if you can. That said it's not a big deal, it just makes curing take longer

FWIW, garlic doesn't want/need a ton of water. A few years ago I decided to skip watering them or give just a shallow drink if we haven't had rain for over a week. Looks like we'll need to pull ours in a week or two... we'll see.

Show threadLinda BallingerJun 10, 2024
@User47 Thanks! I was having a hard time finding info on that detail.