A Synopsis of Spring

Seeing as my last post was "Winter" I've got a bit of catching up to do. Hopefully you find it attractive to look at ice, in the middle of summer...I think some people do, though I've never met them.

 It's only been the first couple of days into Summer, actually, but those are always the hottest days, aren't they, until our bodies adjust?

So, these pictures are from Feb 23, 2022, showing how much ice was coating at least half of the garlic plot. After the 5 inch rain last fall, and then this, I figured the crop would be about as present as Trudeau was at the Ottawa Truckers celebration - though much more welcome to see if it surprised me with an appearance!

I was poking holes, where I could get through the ice, so that it could breathe (that's the real killer, in my understanding - lack of air). The ice was so thick and solid to the bottom, in some places, that the shovel handle I was using barely made a dint. 

But then, magically, garlic proved once again to be a survivor! Just look at it below:

After the ice and snow went away, the resilient little sprouts were still there, coming out of hibernation with a determination to grow! By April 6, 2022 this is how the plot looked. 

Spring planting the Creoles and Silver Skins was a bit challenging...I had to be patient first, then pushy just to get it done. 

  Seeing as I had no prepared ridge of earth to work into, this is the simple rig I macgyvered using a wheelhoe with a tape measure (attached by bungie cord), to measure and mark a reasonably straight row beside the other garlic rows. I only got Mother of Pearl and Aglio Rosso planted this day (April 8th) the rest went in the week after, when it was slightly less wet, and I didn't have drizzle driving under the bottom of my coat, while I crouched down, dibbing the cloves into the sticky soil. (This was not like last year, of course, but you can't get lucky every time.)

"I'm a little garlic in Golden Acres clay-loam. 

Here is the rain and here is the sun. 

My little cloves, from around the globe, have found a home.

I am always oh-so happy while my growing's done. 

And when you pull me out, I will shout - 'put me in your favourite stew!'"

May 23, 2022 Not a plant missing, on these rows. The great survivor strikes again! And the nice thick stalks mean we should have a good harvest.