Getting My Hands Dirty
Right, so I wanted BIG garlic, like those juicy bulbs you see folks bragging about online. Figured Stardew variety looked cool for my little backyard patch. Last year? Total flop. Tiny sad little things. Not this time! Grabbed the seed cloves early October – that’s key, planting before the real cold hits.
Found a sunny spot. Like, full sun, at least 6 hours. Garlic hates wet feet, so I picked a spot that drains pretty well. Got my shovel and just dug the dirt up maybe 10 inches deep. Broke up all the big clumps. Garlic likes its bed loose.
Planting Those Cloves
Took the whole head of Stardew garlic I bought. Cracked it open, kept the fattest, healthiest-looking cloves. Peeled the papery skin off? Nah, don’t bother. Just plant it like it is.
- Made little holes, maybe 2 inches deep, fingertip measure.
- Spaced them out – this is where I screwed up last time. Did it 6 inches apart, both ways. Rows aren’t fancy needed, just give ’em room to breathe and stretch!
- Plunked each clove in, pointy end UP. Seriously, don’t put it upside down!
- Covered them up gently, patted the soil down so it wasn’t fluffy.
- Slapped some straw mulch right on top. Not too thick, like a cozy blanket. Helps keep weeds out and moisture in.
Then I watered them good to settle the soil. After that? Basically ignored them all winter. Nature watered them for me mostly.
Springtime Check-In
Spring rolls around, saw those green shoots popping up through the straw. Awesome sight! Only real job then was pulling any sneaky weeds trying to muscle in. Kept an eye on the rain – if it got dry for a week+, I gave the patch a good soak. No fussy fertilizing, just let ’em grow. Stopped watering completely once those stalks started looking a bit yellow and tired around early summer. That’s the plant saying “almost time!”
Harvest Day Glory!
Saw the bottom three leaves turning brown. That’s the big signal! Got my trusty garden fork (gently! don’t stab the bulbs!), loosened the soil, and pulled up the whole plant. Shook off the loose dirt. Did NOT wash them!
The payoff? HUGE difference from last year. Most bulbs were nice and plump, good size. Bundled them in small bunches with twine – stalks still attached. Hung them up in my shed. Key thing: good air flow and shade. Garage, shed, covered porch… somewhere dry and outta the sun. Left them hanging there for 3 or 4 weeks. Patience! Once the skins felt papery and the necks were tight when I squeezed, I knew they were cured.
Trimmed off the roots and stalks, left maybe an inch. Wiped off any last bits of dirt. Now they’re sitting in a basket in my pantry, ready to use all year. Seriously guys, the spacing and planting time make all the difference. Easy peasy for such a tasty reward!
