Warm Winter Greetings and Hopeful wishes for the coming year! Pictured above is the sunrise on our first snowfall of the season (Nov 3, 2021). Here is what our garlic looked like on that day:
As we move into the longer days of winter, we can celebrate that we just passed the 21st day of the 12th month of the year 2021, in the 21st century! I am sure that has a deep numerical meaning! Solstice is a time to be introspective, find rest, and re-fuel the internal flame so that you are ready to bring the light back into your world. I like to think that the garlic is doing the same.
The two types of energy, Cationic and Anionic, balance throughout the year on a kind of pendulum: the flowering Cationic energy swings into full bloom at the summer solstice, leading most daylight sensitive plants to initiate or express their prolific flowering capacity, such as when garlic puts forth its garlic scapes, with flowers and bulbils.
The other side of the year, on winter solstice, is the highest expression of Anionic growth energy. We may think this is a little odd, because everything appears to be dormant, or harvested and is done with growing. True enough for most annuals except garlic. But garlic of course is busy growing roots, even at subzero temperatures. The root growth does slow down in the midst of winter, which is why I like to plant early enough to take advantage of fall root growth. But for most plants we only notice the growth energy surge at each end of the growing season. It is strongly felt in the spring, when the lettuce and leafy greens flourish; then the leafy plants become harder to grow as the Anionic energy dissipates with rising temperatures. High Summer is the time for flowers! Growth energy returns in the fall, measured by increased hay crop yields and more frequent lawn cuttings, as the wet and cool environment brings it back.
I like to think that we all grow a little bit in the winter, and like the tight growth ring of a northern tree, that slow going in the depths of the cold, is the hard wood that sustains us through the trying and difficult times of our lives.
I also like to eat lots of garlic at this time of year! It is a powerful antioxidant, as anyone knows if they've taken it raw on an empty stomach! (Not advised.) Even Selenium supplementation should be taken on a full stomach in case it upsets the gut.
Selenomethionine and Selenocystine are the two amino acids that are safe sources of Selenium, and to the extent that selenium can be found in the soil; garlic, onions and some grains, are able to gather and concentrate these great antioxidant substances. This year they may be especially important, particularity for men, who have a higher need of selenium. 200 micro grams (mcg) of selenomethionine per day, is generally recommended for healthy adults. The element itself is an essential component of glutathione peridoxase, an enzyme that cleans up oxidative substances that can be damaging to our tissues when we are exposed to the chemicals of our environment, especially at a time when those beautiful green leaves we have grown accustomed to seeing are no longer around to help us filter the air we breathe.
A great feeling of curiosity comes over me when I contemplate the coming spring...I try to keep this feeling optimistic. I think that as long as there is life there is hope, and that the natural world expresses this best, because it does so without hubris, or even expectations. The garlic that I planted on Sept 20, has been partially flooded twice in the fall, I'm the one who is worried about it, lol...but it looks good - all up out of the ground at nearly 100 percent! So I have my fingers crossed for a good spring. Ordering the garden seeds for our vegetables and flowers, always seems to heighten that expectation, as we dream about what is possible for the coming season.
I am currently storing a good selection of garlic bulbils, so I can relax knowing that there is at least a back up plan, to preserve the diversity of my crop, if needed.
I am planning to offer spring shipping on what garlic bulbils remain, and will send out a list of what's available in February or early March.
I hope that everyone has a lovely Solstice, Christmas, and New Year.
Julie Fleischauer