garlic, does anyone grow it?

[orthoclad]

7. Easy to grow

you might want to look for a warm weather variety. Some common varieties do better with a cold winter. There are LOTS of varieties.

I like the hardneck varieties best, that send up a "flower" stalk, or "scape". Fewer but larger cloves. The scapes are a delicacy, best harvested before they get tough. I let some mature each year. The "bulbils" they produce are tasty, a more delicate flavor than the cloves. Most bulbils are too small to bother with. Most people cut the scapes early to help the bulb get bigger. The bulbils can be used as seed, but it takes two years to get a bulb from them.

I plant cloves right in the soil and leave them alone.

I scatter bulbils in the vegetable patches to help repel critters.

I've planted any time from August to November in a mid-zone latitude. Right about now might be optimal. Sometimes I use a row cover. Some people cut the tops in winter; I never do. Cutting tops is supposed to reduce frost damage - I don't think you have to worry about that much in Florida.

For the first time, I had some disease problems in one patch last year, but generally no probs with diseases or pests. I scatter bulbils in the vegetable patches to help repel critters.

Biggest tip: work lots of organic material into the soil. Garlic wants light, loose soil that the bulb can push aside for growth.

Garlic is also the best bug repellent I've used. Research shows little or no effect, but I don't think they use raw fresh garlic in the studies. I cut a clove or two up into pill-size and swallow them, or chew it. Mosquitoes approach, then buzz off. The garlic odor comes out through the skin after a few hours. Don't try this if you have to ride crowded elevators .

Garlic is great, especially when you get fresh home-grown. Good food, good spice, good medicine. Enjoy!