Growing Garlic

There are hidden gifts that appear in the darkness

Garlic

Some people abandon their gardens this time of year. They allow things to compost naturally while allowing the dirt to breathe under the fallen leaves, and as a result worms tunnel endlessly without any disruption. That’s one great strategy. We all need to be left alone sometimes. We can find wisdom and truth during the quiet moments. 

However, there are a few things that need to be planted now in order for the life cycle to be complete. This week I’d like to shine a light on garlic. It is very easy to grow and the health benefits are infinite.  Known to improve cardiovascular health to being a potent anti-inflammatory, garlic contains lots of Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Manganese, Selenium, Calcium, Phosphorus, and many healing compounds and enzymes. It’s a powerful tool to use during the cold and flu season.

You can plant garlic cloves directly into the Earth, in garden beds, or pots. If you live in an urban area, find barrels or pots to grow on your porch or balcony. You can even try growing garlic on your fire escape. I dare you, and please send me a photo if you do this. 

Remember, garlic has the power to ward off negative energy. Ancient Greeks wore garlic to guard against illness, theft, and evil spirits. Romans believed garlic possessed magical powers. They made it a staple in their diet; the Roman army and soldiers would chew a clove before battle to promote courage, protection, and endurance. Similarly, Egyptians knew garlic would provide strength and the cloves were fed to the builders of the pyramids to increase their endurance. The last fun fact I’ll share — and maybe the most thrilling — is that garlic is an aphrodisiac, so while you are warding off the bad vibes you can also entice some exciting energy. 

The Prep

You’ll need:

• garlic heads

• high quality soil

• compost

• hay (make sure it’s glyphosate free)

• garden beds, pots, or barrels

Planting garlic is very simple. I promise. Once you start you may never buy garlic again. 

I source my garlic heads from the neighborhood farm store. Some people believe the garlic found at the local grocery store is okay to experiment with. I do not recommend it because grocery store garlic is almost always from China or California and there is a good chance it is not suited to grow in your region. Instead, find a local farm store in your area or research seed shops online. Both will typically ship what you need right to your doorstep. Alternatively, visit your local farmer’s market and speak with the vendors selling garlic. Just be sure the farmers are rooted in sustainable practices. 

Softneck versus Hardneck

Softneck and hardneck varieties of garlic are named after their stalks. It’s commonly believed that softneck garlic is better suited for southern climates while hardneck garlic fares better in northern climates. However, I live in the mountains of Western North Carolina and we’re expecting a very cold winter, so I went with the hardneck this season in the event the weather prediction is accurate. The only other difference worth noting is softneck garlic has pliable stalks which is great for braiding. Hardneck garlic stalks are woody, stiff and not suitable for braiding. 

The Growing Process

Surprisingly, garlic will do fine during the winter months. In fact, it requires the cold and dark months because it collects its nutrients and coding in very unique ways. Knowing the importance of the dark phase is one of garlic’s intriguing qualities. I think people are realizing the hidden gifts that appear in the darkness. We need contrast in life. Without the dark, we can’t fully appreciate the times basked in light resulting in bliss. 

Let’s get to work…

1. Garlic appreciates fertile and well-drained soil. If you are planting directly into the Earth and have soil compaction, use a broad fork to open up the soil through minimal tillage. This helps the garlic grow and makes it easier to harvest in the spring or summer.

2. Use compost as a top dress. Two inches of compost is enough to strengthen the soil.  Remember soil health is equal to plant health, which is equal to human health. Ensuring you are using high quality soil and compost is crucial. Talk to the folks at your local garden center, nursery, or farm store about selecting high quality soil and compost. 

3. Plant cloves 4-6 inches apart at 1-2 depth with the pointed end up and the blunt side down. 

4. Cover planted garlic with 4-6 inches of leaves, straw, grass clippings, or mulch throughout winter. I like to use glyphosate free straw from Reems Creek Nursery.  

5. Once it is covered, let it be. The Earth will work its magic. The ancient wisdom of this plant will remember what to do. I will remind you when and how to fertilize later. Do not add fertilizer now as it may stimulate vigorous growth too early on and that growth will be damaged when winter weather arrives.

   

Why Bother Planting Garlic? 

A primary reason for growing your own garlic is so that you can remember what real flavor tastes like. Much of the food we are presented with these days lacks authentic flavor. It has fat, sugar, and salt pounded in it to give our brain the belief of flavor. We’re lacking the essence of what real food should be tasting like because it is harder to access nutrient-dense foods. Garlic is a channel of flavor connected to the Earth. Additionally, garlic has a long list of health benefits. Dr. William Li writes about garlic in his relatively new book, Eat to Beat Disease.

…garlic can strengthen our immune defense against everyday infections and potentially even cancer.

Our Guide

Garlic is our guide this week. Let’s get to know the secrets of this plant and take note. Garlic needs extra time to nestle into the Earth, get cozy, and drive its roots deep into the Earth, soaking up nutrients other plants simply can’t reach. Taking extra time to develop a really strong root system is brillant. So forward thinking. As the garlic continues to stretch further down below, the season shifts from autumn to winter. The cold invites a resting period. A time to slow down. Again, smart programming. We all need rest. 

When we stay rooted in life, we remain strong and steady. We won’t get knocked down when a big life event rears its ugly head. Garlic is not impacted by the cold, snowy months that send most living things indoors or into a freeze state. Rather, garlic rests below the surface of the Earth waiting in stillness. Knowing the light will come. Remembering the warmth always accompanies the light. Patience is hard though. I want to rush through the cold dark months. My desire to escape to the warmth or find the fast forward button is strong. Sitting in discomfort is hard, but sometimes (most times) it is the only way through.

These periods of time offer great opportunities. Here is the occasion to create stronger boundaries for yourself. To release the attachments you may have to people, things, experiences, and outcomes. Attachments are unnecessary. Take inventory and observe what attachments are causing suffering. If you want stable energy then you must ask yourself a simple question when confronted with any decision: Will this make life stable or unstable? Seems so simple, because it is. If you are craving stability then you need to find practices that keep you rooted and grounded. 

There is wisdom embedded in all plants. Each plant is just waiting to be tapped so it can share the unique gift hidden inside. Plants appear to sit silent, but they have a voice too. It is time to listen to what they have to say. Plant language requires stillness to decode it. The messages will come to you when needed. The healing will be offered at just the right time. My interpretation of garlic or any other plant for that matter may be very different from yours. That’s ok. We each hold a uniqueness within. Therefore, we may receive unique love letters from the plant kingdom that has just your name on it. I’ll elaborate more on this soon, but the plants you need in your life will find you. Your job is to pay attention.

Final Thoughts

Nature is consistently showing us her fundamental truth, which is beauty. There is so much beauty in both the macro and micro moments woven throughout the planet. It’s everywhere in nature, in each other, and the experiences we create or stumble upon.  

It’s possible, likely even, that we can trust that the Earth possesses most of the answers we are searching for. Our job is to simply listen. Be the observer. Stop doing and going all the time. Change gears. Sit. Witness the beauty and the magic. It’s all around us. Notice what happens when you slow down. Allow yourself time to wander into another realm. Does it feel like peace or hope? Do you anchor back into love, wonder, or gratitude? It’s different for each of us, but those realms are always available. The key to enter is stillness. Regardless of where you live, stillness is found in nature. Yes, there is movement when the river is flowing or the trees are shaking off their leaves, but that movement creates a stillness within the human vessel.  We could name it co-regulation. Let nature regulate you. All you have to do is show up outside.

Dear Earth Lovers, I will transition to a paid subscription model soon. You’ll have until November 14, 2023 to take advantage of a one-time 50% off subscription offer.

Mineral Broth

Where I live the weather has shifted and it’s soup season. Below is a nutrient dense mineral broth recipe that I’ll use during the chilly months ahead. You can use it as the base for any soup that calls for broth. I make a giant batch and store it in the freezer. If you can’t find the seaweed, skip it. Astragalus root is sold in health food stores, food co-ops, or places that sell herbs and/or Chinese medicine.

Ingredients

• 1 head of garlic sliced in half

• 2 onions

• 3 carrots

• 4 large celery sticks

• 1 tablespoon pink peppercorns

• small handfuls of fresh parsley, thyme, and sage

• 3 bay leaves

• 2-3 cups shiitake mushrooms

• 1/3 cup astragalus root, sliced or chopped

• 1 small piece turmeric sliced in half

• 3 inch piece of ginger root sliced thin

• 2-3 pieces kombu seaweed 5 inches in length

• 4 liters of filtered water

• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Method

1. Peel and dice onions, chop the carrots and celery into small pieces, peel and slice the garlic cloves, slice mushrooms thin.

2. Add a glug of extra virgin olive oil to the stock pot, then cook onions, carrots, celery, garlic, mushrooms until softened.

3. Add all other ingredients to the stock pot and cover with 4 liters of water. Cover, bring to a boil, slide lid half off, and simmer for 1 hour.

4. Remove from stove top, let cool, strain through a sieve into a second large pot.

5. Pour into glass jars, cap and refrigerate. If freezing, fill glass jars 3/4 full to avoid the glass breaking.