I also called dibs on Jim's garlic so he had more than one? I guess I wasn't paying attention!!! This is my first year to grow garlic. I am a complete newbie. I don't know how to plant, harvest, cure, store, etc. I am trying to get to the library to see if they have a recommended book (Growing Great Garlic - Ron Engeland). If its what I need, I'll buy it. (Nothing worse than buying a book you need for information & all it has is pretty pictures). My soil is mostly clay & since my tiller hasn't been fixed, my idea is to make beds with cinder blocks. My plan is to lay cardboard down & throw in potting soil, compost, etc. There's a lady that runs a rabbit rehibilitation/education/santuary/rescue about 45 minutes from here that says she'll sell me some bags of her compost loaded with rabbit poo. She uses the money for her rescue & to print booklets she hands out at events to educate people before they get little Timmy a bunny for Easter. But I digress. I did learn that because my summers are hot & humid, & my winters are usually mild, I need to stick my garlic seed in the refrigerator (NOT the freezer) for about 2 months. During this time I will be amending my beds & letting everything age more. I ordered garlic from two places - Filaree Garlic & Forever Yong Farms (which says their garlic is good for southern states). I have read that Creoles & softnecks do best here. (I'm originally from Louisiana so I like "dem Creoles"). But I digress. Again. I wrote this down off of the garlic group but can't remember which grower said it.
"When garlic beds are ready, take cloves & soak cloves in water with 1 tablespoon baking soda & liquid seaweed per gallon to protect from fungus as well as give them an energy boost. Soak for 16-24 hours.
Soak cloves in rubbing alcohol or 100 proof vodka 3-4 minutes then plant immediately to kill any mites, other pests, & any pathogens the first soaking missed."
I may try this on half just to compare. Where would I get liquid seaweed????
