For me garlic (Allium sativum) has the best bang for the buck in terms of harvests and ease of planting. In late October when I am planting other bulbs, I pick a space in my raised beds to plant each clove from garlics I have saved and then place at least six inches of straw on top.
That’s it.
I touch nothing, except cutting off the scapes, until harvest. Because of my bike trip, the harvest is later than normal but there is little harm in this. The stalks are browner than normal, but no harm.
Leaving the straw down, I tug on each stalk hearing and feeling a gentle tear as the soil releases the rootlets attached to the end of each bulb.
No longer hidden under its blanket of mulch, its white knobbed orb sees the sun for the first time and expresses the unforgettable scent of fresh garlic.
Tear after tear liberates each head and I collect them in groups of ten to be placed on newspaper in the greenhouse, which is now mostly empty of plants.
This year I pull an even 90 garlic headsfrom a small L-shaped patch. We should have plenty for the season as we pulled only 60 heads last year.
Looking under the straw on the bed, I see a weed-free expanse of dark soil that is looking for something to take root. I leave the straw for the time being and I’m sure I will think of something to put into its place soon.
