Gourmet​ Garlic!​

A couple of years ago, I thought myself – why not grow garlic again in our new rural home?

My partner – Peter said to me, ‘why not? you can do it even you grew many vegetables, herbs and plants successfully at our old home in Hamilton City in the past!’ So I went ahead planting garlic bulbs in the new garden section of our new home on the shortest day in June. It was a beautiful day that I recalled several years back when I planted the garlic bulbs. From the day, the garlic bulbs grew and grew, and the weather was good for there was no rust disease. Finally came the longest day in December, it was ready to harvest many garlic bulbs. I was pleased with the result, and I dried the fresh garlic bulbs then tied and plaited several garlic bulbs just like the Italian and French do.  I attached the photos.

The second year I grew medium-size garlic bulbs and one elephant garlic bulb which the kitchen tutor from my workplace gave me to produce it. It cost me nothing because I gave them feijoa fruits since 2014. I never grew an elephant garlic bulb before, and I went ahead to grow along with other garlic bulbs on the shortest day in June. Then I pulled all the garlic out on the longest day just before Christmas Day. It was the same routine I do every year since we moved to our new home here.

Every garlic bulbs in plaited and tied up, I gave to the kitchen lady for the cookery classes and every Monday lunch meals except over Christmas season and New Years. A few garlic bulbs I gave to two people that I am supporting and assisting.

Last year, I had a lucky escape because the other people grew garlic bulbs, but their plot suffered rust diseases due to the bad weather. This year it is almost time to grow garlic bulbs, and I received a couple of packets of elephant garlic bulbs from the kitchen lady.

Of course, again, it cost me nothing, and it is a gift of thank you for growing garlic each year. Here comes Queens’ Birthday, I will be busy reaping the new fresh section in the new herb garden in time for the garlic planting next month.