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little cloves are often just below the surface.

Garlic's' nutrient needs are minimal for such a long crop. A moderate dressing of rich compost, dried manure, or fish emulsion will suffice as the leaves begin to grow in the spring. Garlic also has an interesting need for nitrogen like other flowering bulbs. Garden logic tells us that flowering plants do not like nitrogen as it tends to encourage more leafy growth than flowers or roots. Well, like tulips and daffodils, an application of nitrogen sprayed on the leaves helps the leaves grow large enough to make enough food for the roots and flowers to grow larger. However this need for feeding comes to and ends in mid-summer when bulbs start forming.

There are to classes of garlic to be concerned with, hard-neck and soft- neck. Hard-neck varieties can be planted in fall and should be as spring planting will often result in poor yields. Soft-neck varieties can be planted in fall or spring. As a matter of fact, in areas of severe cold with no reliable snow cover or mulch, soft-necks should only be planted in spring.

Hard-neck and soft-neck varieties have the same growing and care needs with one exception: Hard-necks, if left to their own, will form bulblets near the top of the flower stalk. This may look like a novelty in the garden. The main bulb underground will be much smaller. Remove the flower stalk when it reaches 6-8 inches in height.

Harvesting begins when the leaves start to die off in late summer. Bulbs are then lifted dirt shaken off and then the bulb removed from direct sunlight. Place the bulbs anywhere there is good air circulation and warm temperatures. Curing takes roughly two weeks to three months depending on the location.

When the garlic has dried a choice needs to be made. Store or replant? Garlic is alike to rabbits in how fast it multiplies. Store what you need for the next year at 45-55 degrees in well-circulated air.

To plant some of this year's harvest for picking next year, simply follow the planting instructions at the beginning of this article. Garlic is a wonderful crop to enjoy in all seasons of its growth.

Garlic reminds us, like other flowering bulbs, that there is a lot going on in the garden in the fall. Gardening is indeed a year-round activity simply by its design. Next time Labor Day rolls around and you think the garden is done for the year, remember garlic. This small clove planted just before the weather turns harsh withstands the cold to give us a harvest of pungent delight.

Remember to break off the flower stalk on hard-neck varieties to make the ensuing bulb bigger. Soft-necks can be planted in spring or fall.

Many cooks these days now use the "scape" or flower stalk of the garlic in cooking. Still a garlic flavor, but without the bite.

Learn more about this author, Greg Draiss.
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