Going the extra mile for research, or......

[thistlebloom]

.....how to legitimize my procrastination.

I planted my garlic today.The fact that I had to use a pick to get below the top 4" of frozen soil to do it is where the research part comes in.

I guess I'll find out just how tough garlic is next spring.

 

[so lucky]

Maybe "they" will decide your way is the best way to do it!

 

[NwMtGardener]

Hah, i'm doing my own frozen ground research. I planted my garlic, and a few surviving transplants from our old house, a few weeks ago. Weeeelllll, never got around to mulching those poor things. So, now that the ground is frozen completely solid i finally got around to raking up my neighbor's leaves (don't worry, i asked permission!) and putting them on the beds. But...i have to think i'm just insulating that frozen ground, and now it's going to stay frozen longer in the spring?? I feel like those poor plants and garlic bulbs were doomed anyway, with how short of a time they were in the ground before it turned to negative temps... Crossing my fingers for BOTH of our garlics, thistle!

 

[ninnymary]

thistle, why did you wait so long? You knew you had to do it! Haha

Mary

 

[thistlebloom]

It wasn't at the tip top of my priority list I guess. I've had a lot on my plate this fall,and we had a lot of projects that needed finishing before winter, plus I still have a shed to organize before I can store my trailer for the season.
Today I just decided to heck with it, I'm going to just get it done right now! That was between unloading the leaves out of the back of my truck and walking to the back door. Sometimes when I'm impulsive I actually accomplish stuff!

 

[journey11]

I found some old sprouted garlic in the fridge the other day and planted it last minute. You'd be surprised, it will grow!

 

[Smart Red]

Hah, i'm doing my own frozen ground research. I planted my garlic, and a few surviving transplants from our old house, a few weeks ago. Weeeelllll, never got around to mulching those poor things. So, now that the ground is frozen completely solid i finally got around to raking up my neighbor's leaves (don't worry, i asked permission!) and putting them on the beds. But...i have to think i'm just insulating that frozen ground, and now it's going to stay frozen longer in the spring?? I feel like those poor plants and garlic bulbs were doomed anyway, with how short of a time they were in the ground before it turned to negative temps... Crossing my fingers for BOTH of our garlics, thistle!

Cover those bulbs and they should be just fine. The purpose of mulching in the fall is to keep the soil from freezing and thawing as the weather changes and heaving the bulbs out of the soil. Covering the soil after it has frozen is an excellent way to prevent that from happening.

In the spring, your garlic won't start doing their thing until the conditions are right for them. If that is later because of the mulch blanket -- so be it. If you're worried that everything else is starting and the garlic isn't, then just rake the mulch away and let the spring sun do its thing.

Garlic is basically pretty tough (it grows through the winter here) so "don't worry: be happy".

 

[lesa]

I prefer to look at most all of my garden projects as experiments! I predict your garlic will do just fine...

 

[thistlebloom]

I think I already commented on the garlics growth on some other thread somewhere, but this subject needs me to put a bow on it for a final conclusion.

As predicted by some of you, that garlic did grow and produce. Man that's a tough plant! I harvested every bulb planted and they are now in the garage pantry.
This year I'm going to pick up some bulbs of different varieties at the farmers market and do it right.

 

[NwMtGardener]

I just got some really nice garlic last week at our farmers market...wish I could remember what kind!! And some of my abused cloves I threw in the new bed last fall did grow too! Not all but some.