Planting Garlic

I've always said I don't like garlic. However, a friend gave me some from his garden recently, and to my surprise, it was very mild and delicious! So, I saved the two largest bulbs for planting. I'm excited about this garlic! I don't know what kind it is...my friend got it at a farmstand in Fort Kent (near the Canadian border) 5 years ago and has grown it ever since. The lady he bought it from just said it was the kind her grandmother grew. 

I've heard it said that it's not too late to plant garlic as long as you can dig a hole in the ground with a hammer and chisel! I have been known to plant my flower bulbs the day before the ground freezes for the winter, and last year I was spreading manure over the flower beds in late November with the snow falling fast. This year I'm happy to say that all the bulbs (flowers and garlic!) are safely in the ground already. We've had some really beautiful days this fall that were perfect for working in the gardens. 

I used wide raised beds in the vegetable garden this year, and they have worked out nicely, especially for root crops! 

I added some chicken manure and wood ashes before planting...

Preparing the rows with my favorite hoe...

I spaced the bulbs about 8 inches apart.

A mulch of leaves...I probably should add more before winter sets in. 

And that's done! This is the first time I've ever grown garlic, so I'm really looking forward to watching them grow next spring!