Tough Growing Season
Posted: January 11, 2012
It is time to plant garlic. Garlic is easy to grow with few pest problems. Apply a small amount of fertilizer at planting and again May 1. Plant cloves from garlic that was grown locally. Individual garlic cloves should be planted about 4” apart and about 1 ½” deep. Plant only the larger cloves.
In late spring seed heads will need to be pinched off as soon as they begin to appear. Garlic should be harvested in early to mid-July, before the foliage is completely brown. If you wait too long, the outer sheath of the bulb will rot and break open. Store garlic in a cool, ventilated area. It is also time to establish a rye cover crop. Mow off the old plants, lightly till the soil, spread the rye seed on top, then a lightly till the soil again.
Reminder: rake up apple tree leaves and either compost them or dispose of them. Removing the leaves from around the trees will reduce disease problems next spring.
Fall is the best time to soil test and apply recommended lime. Soil test kits are $9.00 and are available from your county Extension office.
For more information contact your local cooperative extension office. In Lackawanna County call 963-6842 and ask for the Garden Helpline or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu
John Esslinger, Extension Educator
Penn State Extension
