Even though winter can be a relaxed time when it comes to garlic we have to make sure that the garlic is receiving enough water.If they dry down too much we could have problems. We tend to get a lot of snow here in Colorado and if we could have a blanket of snow all winter long that would be wonderful. However, we have many dry days and when that happens the garlic needs to be watered. So make sure you check your garlic. If the soil isn't frozen dig down about 4-6 inches and simply squeeze the soil together. If it sticks together there is enough moisture and if doesn't then go ahead and water the cloves.

Tonight we sauteed the hardneck Russian Red in EVOO with salt, pepper and threw in some spinach. Simple and tasty.

Winter has set in. We like all the snow and cold for the garlic but takes a bit of getting used to for ourselves. Before the real cold set in we had a few cloves pop. Put more leaves on top.

Now that the garlic is harvested we plant Buckwheat. It is a great green manure. After it flowers till it back into the soil.
We have started to ship garlic but it is taking longer for the garlic to cure as this past spring was very wet.

We are in the waiting stage. The garlic is drying down. Some varieties are dry and now it is time for trimming up the roots and stems as well as cleaning up the bulb. I have been seperating the smallers bulbs and have starting eating some. Fresh garlic can't be beat! It's juicy and tasty. We have planted buckwheat in the small plot behind the house. Buckwheat is a green manure. After it blossoms till it into the soil. You can also use legumes, alfalfa, and other seed.

Pulled Music out today. Looking great. Here it is drying in the garlic tree.

Just harvested Russian Giant and Russian Red. Although, the Red turned out larger than the Giant. Wanted them to dry down a bit before we harvested but the rains keep coming about everyday. Had a few that rotted because too much rain but numbers are minimal. Interesting how garlic wrappers can change color from area to area. We put in Russian Red from the NE USA and the wrapper had a dark red color and at harvest it was white with splotches of red. Just happens. Different climates produce different results.