Yesterday our 3rd Graders planted some garlic in one of our garden beds. We know it’s a bit late in the season, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed that it will work. We should see some movement in the next few weeks. Hopefully the rain today aided our endeavor.

Below are some photographs of our 3rd Grade getting nice and dirty. Each child got to plant one clove each.

If you would like to try it yourself here’s how….
Think of each clove of garlic as its “seed.” It’s best not to use store bought bulbs because unfortunately many have been treated with an anti-sprouting agent. I picked up ours at the 32nd Street Farmers Market in Waverly last Saturday. First, mix some compost and turn the soil so that it’s nice and loose 12″ deep. (Big thanks to the 7th Grade for helping us with that part.) Then break each clove off of the bulb and be sure to leave the white skin in tact around it (the large outer ones work best). You will plant each clove about 3″ deep and space them in a grid about 6″ apart from one another. Plant them so that the tapered tip of each clove is facing upward. Then mulch with a layer of straw or leaves. And wait, and wait, and wait.
The cloves will send up shoots during the fall and in the spring leaves and flower buds will form which can be chopped up and used to flavor your favorite dishes. The bulbs will be ready to harvest in late June of the following year.