Mid-August is here, and the heat and dry weather are intense. We may occasionally get some rain if the storms flow in our direction from the gulf, but you never know for certain if these storms will reach us. Storm paths are prone to change rapidly.

Although we are in this time of late summer, there is still much to do. My compost is finished, and it has begun its journey into the raised beds and the in-ground garden. I still have some peppers and okra lingering for harvest. The second planting of corn and winter squash is growing fast, but it needs consistent water. Hot august winds are stripping away the moisture.

Last week was my time to order garlic for the late fall planting. We can grow both the soft and hard neck varieties, but I have found that the soft neck variety grows more consistently.

Here are some varieties of the soft-neck family: Early Italian, California White, Inchelium Red, Lorz Italian, Silver-White, Nootka Rose, Transylvanian, Great Lakes, and Kay’s Backyard. These are planted in the fall and harvested in the summer; it is a 9-month process to grow them. There is also Elephant Garlic, which is not a true garlic, but rather a leek.

Here is a short guide to planting and growing garlic.

Locate a well-drained section of your garden; if the water is still above ground 5 hours after a hard rain, you need a different area. Garlic likes a little sand with organic mulch worked into the soil so they can grow big bulbs.

In the fall breakup the bulbs use the largest sections, so save the small inner ones for the kitchen. Some folks like to pre-soak them in water with a tablespoon of vodka for cleaning away any possible future mold.

Plant garlic 2 to 3 inches deep, 6 inches apart, with the big end down and the pointy end up. Water them in well. Dry bulbs will either be slow to germinate, or possibly fail entirely. Do this all as soon as you break up the bulbs.

Now you need to keep them moist. I recommend a light feed of compost tea at 3 months, and again at 6 months. They are ready for harvest when the tops start to dry and fall over. This variety is best for making beautiful garlic braids for kitchen storage.

If you want to plant garlic from the store it will possibly be pre-bleached. If it has no little roots on the bottom, then it is from another country—the roots must be completely removed for transportation to the US. I have tried using grocery garlic, with mixed successes. Look for organic garlic with roots on the bottom for the best results.

I have done a yearly save for next year, but in a few years they will get smaller, so this year I am ordering for fall. Keep in mind that many varieties rapidly become listed as “Out of Stock,” so you want to order soon.

Elephant garlic is planted the same as regular garlic. Plant the separated bulbs are at least 6 inches deep and 10 inches apart. They will grow faster than regular garlic, so you can plant in the fall or spring.

If you are a container gardener they will grow well in large pots or fabric growing containers, you just need to make sure there is adequate drainage. They may also need more feeding in these conditions. Regardless, cover with hay, straw, or frost cloth if a hard freeze arrives for an extended length of time.

Keep planning that fall garden, it will be here soon.

Growing Green,

Jannie.