Bit, I think I would be inclined to try to smother the weeds and not disturb the roots, or to use a hula hoe (scuffle hoe), working carefully around each garlic plant, which does a nice shallow cultivation and will cut off the roots of the weeds. Your garlic should have deep roots by now if it has been in the ground since fall.

I agree MaryE, that is the route I would take.

Is henbit one of those springtime weeds that pops up to annoy us gardeners, then dies down and disappears for the summer? Around here, it doesn't grow tall and I honestly don't recall seeing it except in springtime.

No coconut shells here... only my skull feels like it sometimes.

I'm sorry, pod, I simply won't use skulls. Ken

I think we keep some around all year, but it is at the peak of its season now. There were other weeds in the patch too, henbit is just the most visible and easily identified. I'll have to assess it again next time I'm in town... part of the reason I got frustrated so easily is that I have a knee injury that made weeding painful, but hopefully that will clear up before my next visit home. I did weed all of my containers, but the stuff in the ground was out of reach.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I don't have a scuffle hoe, but I really should - I loved weeding with it when I worked on a farm. I'll keep you guys posted with what I end up doing - I have lots of ideas to work with now.

Okay, time for a silly question, since everyone will probably have a different answer... but here it goes! What is your favorite garlic? I don't have a favorite yet. I love all of the ones that I've tried, but would like to expand my horizons, and don't know where to begin. I have not had all that many different ones, which is why I'm asking. Bold or mild, it doesn't matter to me. I love love love garlic!

Bit, a cobra head might work also because you can get into really tight places. Best tool I've ever used!

I don't know much about garlic varieties, but of the two major types, I prefer hardneck to softneck. Why? Hardneck garlic produces a flower stalk, called a scape, and it is amazingly delicious - intensely garlic flavored, but fresh and green at the same time.

On the other hand, softneck has always thrived on neglect for me. This is my first time growing a hardneck, and similar neglect brought awful results. I don't know if it's actually more finicky or if something else is going on, but I figure it's worth mentioning.

Thanks Arlene! I've never used one of those, but I'll look into it.

I just bought my house and started really gardening about five years ago, so my tool collection is a bit sparse. I buy a few new things each year, but there's never been the budget to go all-out. I only have a standard square hoe, so this might be the year of hoe-buying.

My daughter got one and recommened to me. I got one then I also got the long handled one. Would be nice if you could "try it out" because everyone has a different favorite type of tool. But for me, I don't know how I ever got along without it. You can skim the soil like a collineral hoe, scratch the surface to work up the soil like a scratcher/cultivator, and even take our your frustrations and whack it deep enough to get out those long, tap rooted weeds! I have used it to gently lift plants out of the soil also. It just works really well for me. (when it comes time for Xmas and people are wondering what to get you...)

The freshly harvested, gourmet garlics are so doggone different in taste than store-bought ones, that any of them will elicit a "wow" when used. If I had to choose only one type though, I think I would go with the "Creole" varieties. They are more expensive, but have such great taste, they are worth the extra cost. They also last for months and months if properly stored. Ken

Thanks for the info on favorites! Looks like I'll need to try them all!

Natalie, I will post my gourmet garlic(s) as a pre-sale item in a month or so. I don't know whether I will post them on ATP, DoLeaf, and/or Dave's Garden, but I know I will have them on my website, www.tropicalplantsandmore.com. If you haven't yet visited my site, I would love for you to do so. It has recently been revamped and updated and I need all the feedback I can get. I just know I can improve it but have now spent so many hours on it, that I have become "brain-dead" when I look at it now. I have a "tiny", cottage-industry busines and have a passion for what I do, and I want my site to reflect just that. I would appreciate your feedback. Ken

Ken, I visited your site a couple of days ago, and really enjoyed it. I'll have to get back to you on any feedback though, when I have more time. I'm not sure there was anything to improve on, but my time on the site was limited. I loved the photos!

I'll be checking back too, looking for garlic! I am in the middle of getting ready to move out of state, so I may have to wait until next year to plant garlic. But, I can dream of it in the meantime!

Good luck with your move, Natalie. Before you plant a "serious" garden of gourmet garlic, you need to begin sampling some of the many varieties available. First and foremost, you should plant what you like. If you like it and can describe the taste to others, so much the better. The difference in "garlicky" taste, spiciness, and pungency varies from variety to variety. When I list my garlic varieties, I rate those three things on a scale of 1 to 10. 1 would be at the mildest level and 10 the strongest level. I also list the probable storage-life of the various varieties. Some will only store well for 4 months and some a whole year. The last thing I try tell my buyers is the "looks" of the garlic. Some garlic varieties have beautiful coloration and look good just hanging in the kitchen. For example, the Creole varieties have a beautiful, glowing, deep-purple coloration. 90% or more of what I sell are used in the kitchen, not for fall planting. Ken

Ken, your website is beautiful - don't change a thing!

Jill, you are so kind to say such a nice thing. You have made my day brighter! Ken

Your website is gorgeous! Jill wasn't just being flattering

I did notice a few small spelling and grammar issues. It might be worthwhile to have someone with a fresh eye proofread it... I completely understand the feeling of having read something so many times that it hardly makes sense anymore.

Thanks for pointing these errors out to me, Bit. I will get them corrected. Spelling and grammar were never my strongest suits! Ken

Nothing major, and I hate to be critical because the site is great overall... but you did ask for input Your passion for the plants and care for your customers really shines through

Not critical at all - observant!! Thanks, again. Ken

P. S. Were you a school teacher in a present or past life?