I am trying to grow garlic for the first time this year. I planted it in November and noticed today that it is already starting to grow! Any advice on what to expect?
That is exciting! Maybe I will plant some garlic this fall. I always have such a hard time planting things in the fall; by that time I am ready for a break. :)
One of the best parts is that in a few weeks, when the leaves have grown much taller, you'll get garlic whistles (the bud before the flower is formed). Cut them off with plenty of stem and enjoy them fresh in salads or sauteed. They have a fresh, mild garlic flavor-- delicious! After you harvest and cure the bulbs, don't forget to save some of the biggest cloves for the next planting! Yum!
We grow garlic, planted 9 varieties in October up here in MI. It is super awesome because when you see the little garlic sprouts coming up you know spring can't be too far. I think we usually have scapes to harvest about June and then garlic to harvest and cure in July. Scapes are good to harvest when they are full size, they curl a bit, and should snap easily at the base. If they don't easily snap off they will be too woody. We wait until it starts to dry back before we harvest and then hang it in a cool place to cure before storing. Have fun!
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