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Post by elkhound on Jun 30, 2016 1:52:38 GMT
this is largest martin garlic i ever grew...i think...i have way more to pull but its not quite there yet so i am letting it grow on a bit more.  |
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Post by paquebot on Jun 30, 2016 2:12:46 GMT
Just nicely fits in the palm of your hand? Cloves bigger than pigeon eggs? Nothing wrong with that! I've done all I can to set up this year's crop for some 4" bulbs and there's still some hope. Went through a dry period at the most important stage but plants are still green. I'll know in two weeks.
Martin
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Post by feather on Jun 30, 2016 3:02:31 GMT
Beautiful! MMMMM yum!
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Post by here to stay on Jun 30, 2016 15:13:53 GMT
I have had my first harvest of Martin's too. It was ready about a week earlier than my other garlic and is maybe 20% bigger. Now the taste test......
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Post by oneraddad on Jun 30, 2016 15:30:59 GMT
My best Elk impersonation.   |
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Post by Skandi on Jul 1, 2016 13:16:09 GMT
urgh peaches, I've not had one of them in three years! They're way to hard in the shops here, and I'll have to wait another 5 months for my pears  I keep forgetting to plant garlic, When autumn planting. when does one do it? before the first frosts or after? |
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Post by paquebot on Jul 1, 2016 14:41:56 GMT
Plant garlic any time in autumn. That would be from 21 September to 21 December. Some fall growth is OK and your winters are not severe enough to have to do anything other than planting. For my USDA zone, the official window is 15 to 30 September and that would be your best time.
Martin
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Post by here to stay on Jul 2, 2016 1:19:51 GMT
I'm thinking that the Martin's in the first picture must be elephant garlic?? Or some kind of hardneck. Only cause the Martin's I have is a soft neck without the central stalk. No scape at all.
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Post by elkhound on Jul 2, 2016 2:21:56 GMT
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Post by paquebot on Jul 2, 2016 4:31:35 GMT
Martin's is definitely a hardneck. Officially it is a rocambole type. They usually have 5 to 9 large cloves and large bulbils. If it isn't producing a central stalk, it isn't Martin's. Those that I'm holding in my avatar were 3½". As the Garlic Stone states, one thing that it's noted for is size. So far, only Estonian Red has matched it for size here. No chance of me ever mixing in a softneck since there hasn't been one grown here in almost 10 years and that was Inchelium Red. That was already all at WeGrowGarlic before any forum offers.
Martin
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Post by paquebot on Jul 2, 2016 5:53:16 GMT
I probably wrote about all the preparations to get a 4" bulb last fall. At WeGrowGarlic, many varieties were larger than average and only one form of fertilizer was used, horse manure. When spread, it was anywhere from almost a year old to a week old. Even the Martin's size surprised me as I was always happy with a 2½" average. My experience shows that it's like every other garlic variety in that it is not going to grow the same in any 2 gardens. For the present crop, the soil was loaded with old horse manure. Over the winter, pigeon loft dropping were added as "mulch". Milorganite was dissolved in water and spread throughout the beds. If there is a hint of a lack of nitrogen, not my doing! Of course, best plans often have an unforeseen snag and this could be a lack of water at a critical time. Soil moisture is fine now but growth peak is about now so it may be too late. Aiming for digging everything on the 15th, two more weeks. Then we'll see what buried treasure is out there.
Martin
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Post by solargeek on Jul 2, 2016 15:08:31 GMT
paquebot, We are close to you but had such a HOT fall I planted in October. Same rain conditions as you in all likelihood. Cut scapes a week ago as we had so much cold in May my garden was delayed. So question is, when do we pick? What is the tell-tale sign it is ready? I did pick on sample (ACTUALLY I SWEAR IT JUMPED OUT OF THE SOIL INTO MY HANDS!) and it was about 2". Some browning on tips of some of the garlics in the drier parts of the garden but still robust and green. Do I let it grow till end of July or pick mid July? Thanks!
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Post by Weed on Jul 2, 2016 15:30:27 GMT
Based on my own experience - Aside from fertility and soil conditions, I've found that the maximum potential size of different garlic varieties are limited as much or maybe even more, based on the location each particular variety is grown in. Here in South Jersey, I've given the Estonian Red several chances to acclimate and size up before finally giving up on it last season. The best I was ever able to do with it was about 2" despite the happy conditions. I started out with 23 hardneck varieties and have dwindled those down to just 6 over the past 5 years. Each variety was grown out from cloves as well as bulbils to fully acclimate them to the area. The PIA factor of labeling, keeping them seperate and storing probably had something to do with giving up on some varieties sooner than I probably should have  Variety and approx largest size of each (freshly dug) from this years harvest Music - 2-3/4" dug (2 weeks) ago Kettle River Giant - (softneck) 3-1/2" 2 weeks Penasco Blue - a tad under 3", dug yesterday Penasco (bulbil grown) - 2" Martin's Heirloom - 3", dug yesterday Martin's (bulbil grown) - 2" Still in the ground/not quite ready are Hnat (which I'm about to throw in the towel on), I'm expecting approx 2" bulbs and German Red with 2-3/4" bulbs most likely. The quest continues for size and this year I believe I have the answer. Once the final varieties are lifted, I will be improving the beds by adding a bit more sand to improve drainage just a bit. With the new source of unlimited rabbit manure, it'll be worked in to a depth of 12"-18", followed by a quick cover of white clover until Late October. Recommended planting date here is 10/15, but I'll likely be planting in mid-end November as usual to avoid too much fall growth. |
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Post by here to stay on Jul 2, 2016 15:39:44 GMT
Hmm... Did my row of garlics get labelled from left to right or right to left?
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Post by Weed on Jul 2, 2016 16:01:02 GMT
solargeek, like you, I usually dig a sample bulb but the tell tell signs that they're ready (if they've been receiving ample water) is when the lower (third) 2-3 leaves have yellowed. With the exception of the Music scapes (pesto) which are rice sized bulbils, this year I left the scapes intact right up until harvest as a friend is planning to start off a garlic venture of a few thousand plants next year. They are being finished/sized up in vases of water. I try to give them their last watering when the lower leaves start yellowing. Be careful in your timing and stop watering during the last week or two (depending on your soil). It's best to harvest when the ground is dry and always dig- don't pull. If left in the ground too long, the paper layers will rot and your bulbs will open up. Frustrating, but not a big problem if you plan to use it immediately, but it won't store very long.
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Post by paquebot on Jul 2, 2016 16:51:48 GMT
solargeek,we were in a small dry window which got to the point of lawns starting to look yellow. We're in the lee of the Madison lakes and they will often either split a front or deflect it usually north. Now back to normal with over 2" in past week or so. All of the garlic is still green right to the bottom leaves. Should be a sign that it's still growing. Dug some volunteers yesterday and they were far from being mature. Rule is to dig when the bottom 3 leaves are dying. I'd suggest watching this thread for the time for you to dig the Martin's as that will be same for you. It can always be later but then there's the risk of the skins rotting away. Better to dig a week early than a week late and then let the bulbs finish curing in the air. Weed,according to my source, Estonian Red is the biggest garlic grown in Denmark. As far as I know, the main source for it here was through me. A Danish gardener sent some bulbils and I worked them up to mature size before turning it all over to WeGrowGarlic. That's one with tiny bulbils and doesn't even produce a divided bulb until the third season. As with all big garlics, they are a nitrogen hog. Those got extra care for each of the 4 years that it took to get maximum size. Music for me gave a lot of 3" bulbs. That was also the tallest that I ever grew. With the scapes left on, had one that was 78" from tip of scape to bottom of bulb. You can imagine how rich the soil was to produce that much growth. 2" divided bulb from bulbils is about average for Martin's. I'm expecting at least that from about 100 started from bulbils but they got a lot of old horse manure in ground which was already very rich. For plant size, they are not far behind the 100 started from smaller cloves. here to stay,if you planted both Martin's and a softneck, you've definitely got your row markers mixed up! Martin
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Post by elkhound on Jul 2, 2016 18:45:02 GMT
of the ones i pulled so far..that were grown in conventional garden row method the largest is 3.25inches....the big patch i am yet to pull is in back to eden garden and moving chips aside to sneak a peak they are larger it seems...theres over 100 in that patch.
i abandoned all other varieties of garlic and only grow martin.
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Post by paquebot on Jul 2, 2016 19:53:07 GMT
Tallpines ,hardneck garlic can prove misleading when having to compete with anything else. Instead of producing a large bulb, it will instead concentrate on forming bulbils. There will be bulbs but not as big as normal. Martin
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Post by Weed on Jul 5, 2016 14:22:35 GMT
solargeek, here's a good bit of info on harvesting/curing while you're waiting for Martin's cue that he's ready to dig. www.garlicfarm.ca/pdf/growing_curing_garlic.pdfDug the remaining varieties a few days ago (Hnat and German Red)...a little disappointed in size but very happy with the quality of the bulbs, they should hold over fine until November. paquebot, Will you be offering up garlic bulbs for sale again this year? A buddy here is planning on a big patch this fall and will need some additional seed stock. I have several hundred bulbils from the Martin's, Penasco Blue and German Red that I am donating as well as some of my smaller Kettle River Giant and Music bulbs.
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Post by paquebot on Jul 5, 2016 17:21:21 GMT
Forum offer will probably be the same as last year. That is, about a pound of bulbs plus 100 or so bulbils for $15 including postage. When I see $7.00 for ¼-pound, mine will be a real bargain.
At the moment, digging scheduled for 14 July. Leaves turning quickly in just the past couple days. If wet forecast, may be the 10th. Weather also looks hot for next 10 days and that will also rush them along.
Martin
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Post by feather on Jul 5, 2016 17:35:56 GMT
Forum offer will probably be the same as last year. That is, about a pound of bulbs plus 100 or so bulbils for $15 including postage. When I see $7.00 for ¼-pound, mine will be a real bargain. At the moment, digging scheduled for 14 July. Leaves turning quickly in just the past couple days. If wet forecast, may be the 10th. Weather also looks hot for next 10 days and that will also rush them along. Martin $14-$15/lb is the going rate for garlic bulbs. Some lbs have 14 bulbs/lb, some bulbs are larger and end up being 8-9 bulbs/lb. At $14/lb the smaller ones are about $1 each. I charge $14/lb plus shipping. I'm not growing Martin's Garlic this year, sad me. Martin, you are offering a real bargain! My garlic garden has leaves turning now too. |
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Post by Weed on Jul 5, 2016 19:58:29 GMT
paquebot, Bulbs, bulbils and free shipping...that is a sweet deal! I'll put him in contact with you.
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Post by paquebot on Jul 10, 2016 20:05:16 GMT
Just dug 15 plants. The key usually is when the skin on the bulbil umbel split and that's just happened in past 2 days. Roots are still healthy but at least a third of the bottom leaves have yellowed or died. No 4" so far but a few 3". The rest are coming out tomorrow ahead of rain.
Martin
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Post by solargeek on Jul 11, 2016 4:02:18 GMT
Just dug 15 plants. The key usually is when the skin on the bulbil umbel split and that's just happened in past 2 days. Roots are still healthy but at least a third of the bottom leaves have yellowed or died. No 4" so far but a few 3". The rest are coming out tomorrow ahead of rain. Martin I have pulled a bunch out. Some were huge as I expected and ready; some were probably not in the best placement (much smaller stalks) and the bottom 3 leaves are definitely brown. Should I pull them and all the others (about 75 more) before our 3 nights of rain? |
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Post by paquebot on Jul 11, 2016 13:17:39 GMT
Up and out early to beat the heat. Lawn covered with piles of garlic plants. Wanted them out before the predicted rains set in. Not surprised to find that the soil is very dry. Most of it consists of close to a foot which has been created over 53 years. That soil was great for potatoes for almost 25 years but drains too well for dry years. Nevertheless, I will soon start prepping it for planting back to garlic this fall.
Under the circumstances, somewhat pleased with the results although not as good as last year. Most of those from bulbils are smaller but also were from medium-size. Many bulbs weren't much over an inch. Nothing wrong with that for planting back but not very impressive when compared to 3" bulbs. It may mean less than a pound offered but more overall cloves.
Did have the usual problem with volunteers. That's why I planted everything on a very uniform grid. If there was a plant not within the grid, it went on a separate pile even if it may have been a Martin's. Someone got a wrong bulb last year but I didn't notice it until I went to work on the bulbils. One was probably Music from an earlier experiment which resulted in that becoming a nuisance.
It's been a fun season of wondering and hoping. Wondering what was going on underground and hoping for the best. Now I know what was happening and satisfied with the results.
Martin
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Post by feather on Jul 11, 2016 15:19:15 GMT
We are harvesting ours today, SE Wisconsin.
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Post by oxankle on Jul 11, 2016 19:36:12 GMT
This was my first attempt at elephant garlic, and I had only nine plants when the season ended. Of those, two were pods, the rest rounds. There were at least half a dozen of the little bulbs attached to the root ends, and I collected those. The fully developed pods were large, as big as a man's fist. The rounds a bit smaller than a tennis ball.
Regular garlic---Meh---no bigger than and most smaller than regular grocery store stock---and of course that was my seed stock.
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Post by solargeek on Jul 11, 2016 19:40:46 GMT
paquebot, feather, Tallpines, oxankle, elkhound,Wow! I have only planted Joy's garlic, and Martin's garlic and other than the areas where they apparently either didn't get enough sun or water or both as they are slightly under a tree line, I have a huge crop! I planted about 150–200 and I'm thrilled with the size and health of each of these. Even the smallest – – which were my fault -- Will be delicious roasted up in olive oil and smeared on toast !
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Post by paquebot on Jul 11, 2016 20:05:34 GMT
90ºF and garlic already drying nicely. Where it had been growing was quickly transformed to a seed bed again by the Mantis. Mainly it was to annoy any remaining weeds and to till in the white pine needles which remained. Where two-thirds of it was got 30 gallons of horse manure after that and then tilled again. Along one edge got some extra manure and tilled a third time. About a 20' row of rutabaga planted there. Some gardeners are just plain crazy! Would never do that without A/C supplying a place to cool down.
Martin
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Post by feather on Jul 12, 2016 0:14:49 GMT
It's hot here, we only took out the russian red today. It's power sprayed, drying in bunches, half of it hung and labeled. 250+ bulbs.
I'm not tolerating the heat well, it's after 6 pm and 87 degrees F. We bought a one room air conditioner last week, compact, easier to put in and take out. I don't know how you can tolerate this heat paquebot!
Solargeek, glad your crop turned out good!
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