Garlic is one of the most easily recognized flavors and it’s loved by many. Late summer fun includes garlic festivals where one can enjoy garlicky foods you wouldn’t ordinarily think of, like garlic ice cream or garlic funnel cakes. There’s still time to plan a trip to garlic festivals on the East Coast, like the Pocono Garlic Festival in Pennsylvania.
Where ever you get your garlic, don’t buy it from the grocery stores as that stuff comes from China. No kidding! Check your shaker of garlic powder and see what it says in the small print…Made in China! Evidently, you have to buy the gourmet version from McCormick Spices to enjoy California-grown garlic.
Instead of buying food that comes from the other side of the Earth, get some locally grown garlic. Garlic grown locally will have the freshest taste just like all the other vegetables at the local fruit stand. Supporting your local farmers keeps your money in your community and that’s something worth the drive.
If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t mind getting in the dirt, grow your own garlic. It’s very easy and you’ll have enough to share with your neighbors and friends.
- Pick an area that gets at least 6 hours of sun each day.
- Prepare the soil by adding compost or organic materials until it can be worked easily.
- Break apart a garlic bulb into its separate cloves.
- Poke holes in the soil, one for each clove, about 2 inches deep and six inches apart.
- Insert a clove in each hole with the pointy end up.
- Cover the holes and mulch well with leaves or straw for winter protection.
Some garlic may sprout before the winter, especially if planted right after harvesting the garlic in the heat of summer. That’s ok because any sprouts that grow big enough can be pulled up and roasted or chopped and added to vegetables or salads.