Ceremonial Planting Of Winter solstice Garlic
Well the mid-winter solstice is upon us now and today I am going to be doing a bit of a tongue-in – cheek ‘ceremonial” planting of garlic. It is traditionally planted on the shortest day and harvested on the longest and as I am a fan of tradition – I am going to plant some in a facebook live. All going well. Meaning – if I can get my husband to be the cameraman as I won’t be able to plant, talk and hold the camera at the same time.
The other reason I wanted to mark the occasion is that it is the point at which I rotate my vegetable beds around to the next year. So the beginning of the gardeners New Year. It coincides nicely with the traditional Maori celebration of Matariki – the rising of the star cluster of the Pleidies or Matariki in the eastern sky – the signal to finish gathering all the old year’s crops and start preparing for the new. Worth taking time to mark the occasion!
Although we always associate garlic planting with 21st of June, you can start planting anytime from the autumn equinox and aim to get it in by the shortest day. For those with warmer climates and the risk of rust in the heat of summer, then planting earlier is a good idea. (note to self for next year)!, Having said that, it is better to get it in the ground when you can rather than not at all so don’t be put off by strict rules but get planting. I have planted well into July before and still get good results.
Most imported garlic is treated with some fairly drastic chemicals so garlic is definitely on the list of things to plant in your family vegetable garden. Not only can It be used as a culinary food but it has wonderful therapeutic qualities – great for our immune systems. How much you plant depends on how much your family needs. If you think that you use one big clove per week – then plant 52 plus a few extra for unexpected occurrences. Then plant another 25 or so to ensure you have seed for next year. Garlic seed is getting harder to come by these days and it is something you can grow yourself then do it.
If you haven’t done so already, add plenty of manure, compost and blood and bone. Some wood ash and a little lime is also beneficial. I mark out rows then lay out the cloves around 15cms apart. Plant at twice the depth so between 2-5 cms apart. Space between rows is up to you. I put mine 20-30 cms apart which is quite intensive but you do need to be able to hoe down each row if needed. I then water in with a bit of liquid seaweed once they have started to grow and mulch with whatever is available. I also have to cover mine with some wire netting to prevent the occasional naughty chook from foraging for my precious cloves.
For me following the Crop Rotation Poster, I have completed a four-year cycle and so going back to the year one plan. So it’s a good time to pick up your own copy of the Poster plan, join the Crop Rotation and Garden Calendar facebook group and follow along. Great if you are starting out in the vegetable garden or don’t know where to start! You can also get the digital copy and print it yourself.https://www.facebook.com/groups/353726023718424
Wrap up warm and enjoy your forays into the winter garden in between sitting by the fire planning your spring garden.