How to Plant Garlic in the Fall: How, When and Why

How to Plant Garlic in the Fall: How, When and Why

My method for planting garlic is for gardeners in areas that get freezing winters. If you don't get freezing nights, snow and frozen ground... garlic bulbs are often pushed into the garden bed  surface, about an inch deep and covered with some mulch.

I am in Maryland Zone 7 and my beds freeze in the winter. Garlic should be planted 3-4 inches deep depending on how much cold you get. The video will show you how I set up the soil and plant the garlic cloves, broken from the bulbs. I will use diffenernt fertilizers as available. I often use bone meal for phosphorous, as it helps with bulb growth, and blood meal for nitrogen. The key to nice size garlic bulbs is very loose soil and fall planting.

Garlic Sprouts - The Rusted Garden 2014

You plant them in the fall for two reasons. The garlic will recognize the winter and come spring will set off to form a bulb. Planting them in the fall also allows the clove to sprout a tip and develop a really strong root system. When you plant the clove you want to make sure you have some slow release fertilizer mixed into the planting area. Don't worry if your garlic gets a few inches of green growth that gets beat up before the cold arrives. It won't hurt it.

Plant Garlic in the Fall before the Freeze Comes

I plant my garlic about 4 inches deep in my zone. I don't mulch it. You can plant it in late September through October. If you want to push it, early November is okay. The key is that you want about 4 inches of a barrier between the clove you plant and freeze. You could do a 4 inch depth in the soil or 2 inches in the soil and 2 inches of mulch. It is really up to you. You do not need to be exact.

I use garlic from the grocery store. A lot of people say you shouldn't as you have a risk for diseases. I haven't had issues. You can buy it from catalogs and online. You can go to specialty gourmet stores for different varieties that are meant to be eaten... but I plant them.

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PhD student Stephen Via's research is focused on the impact of explosive compounds on vegetation across scales.  In his recently-published paper, "Differential effects of two explosive compounds on seed germination and seedling morphology of a woody shrub, Morella cerifera", Stephen examined the impacts of two common explosives, TNT and RDX, on germination and juvenile growth of a native coastal shrub that is commonly found at former coastal bombing ranges.  His investigation across life stages showed that plants have variable responses to contaminants, concentration, and these effects differ with life stage.  These findings are important as explosive compounds have the potential to act as filters of species establishment and community structure / function.  Stephen will continue his research to quantify the effects of explosives on establishment, physiological functioning, and ultimately community composition.  More exciting results to come! The article can be found at:
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10646-014-1372-x?sa_campaign=email/event/articleAuthor/onlineFirst
or by emailing viasm@vcu.edu.




Morella cerifera growing in different concentrations of RDX.  Photo credit: Stephen Via



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Fall is Here and Now is the Time to Build Raised Beds and Prepare Garden Beds for Next Spring

Fall is Here and Now is the Time to 

Build Raised Beds and Prepare Garden Beds for Next Spring

Fall often signals the end of the gardening season. It is a great time of year to convert your earth beds over to simple raised beds or to increase the size of your garden with another raised bed or two. If you have a raised bed it also the time to clean out the old plants, amend your soil and prepare them for hibernation. Which really means tossing in some compost, dirt and maybe some cover crops. Come the spring, you just need to turn the beds and get them ready for planting.

If you do the work in the fall, come spring you really just have to turn the soil, add what you like and plant your seeds. Raised beds are a great way to organize your garden. They can be planted earlier in the spring, as they drain better and warm faster. They also help you conserve resources by directing you time, amendments and money into the actual planting area. The space between the beds can be mulched for weed control and walking. The good stuff goes into the raised bed.

If you are framing out a new raised bed, you can actually build the frame, lay it down and put newspaper and cardboard over the grass inside the frame. Cover the frame with basic cheap soil to press down the newspaper and come spring you have a place that is weed and grass free. You can add compost and amendments of your choice and just turn the bed. You will be ready to plant come spring.

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The Long Awaited Summer (Fire) - Will it save our savannas?

1st Summertime prescribed fire conducted in Brunswick Co, NC
Longleaf Pine relict (right), middle sized trees are mostly Pond Pine
no Longleaf Pine regeneration is present

Vegetation response several weeks later (same site as previous)
Longleaf Pine unfazed but significant needle loss on all Pond Pines 

It has been known for decades that regular or frequent fire facilitates the development of open, grassy longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) savannas. Restoring such conditions in existing longleaf pine stands has become virtual dogma across the southeastern United States. However, relatively few sites actually receive the frequency of fire needed to maintain or recreate open savannas, and even fewer receive fires during the growing season when lightning fires would have occurred historically. This has certainly been the case at the Boiling Spring Lakes Plant Conservation Preserve in Brunswick Co., North Carolina where we have been working, with the help of The Nature Conservancy and the NC Forest Service (NCFS), for approximately 10 years to restore fire prone landscapes.  This summer (2014), the NCFS and our small team conducted the first known summer fire in the region (special thanks to Bill Walker, Shane Hardee, Mike Malcolm & Miller Caison for making the burn a reality)

For decades, typical controlled burns across the southeastern NC and the US occurred during the dormant or winter season.  However, it has been recognized that significant parts of the landscape, especially areas dominated by longleaf pine, developed under eons subject to fires started by lightning. Lightning strikes, especially those most likely to start fires, are mostly associated with summer thunderstorms. In North Carolina July is the peak for these storms (1).                                    
                                                                                                                     

Outcalt (2) showed that the largest, tallest trees were preferentially hit by lightning in longleaf stands. These strikes often leave telltale marks (left), sometimes extending to the ground. In certain cases hot strikes ignite the tree itself and the flammable ground cover nearby (right).



Given dry conditions, available fuels, wind to push the fire, and an unbroken landscape, such lightning ignited fires could have extended for miles.  Large, old longleaf pines tend to have concentrated resins that allow them to burn hot, even when drenched with water. These can easily ignite fires even after the passage of rain fall events.

There is some evidence that lightning season fires produce different ecological effects than fires at other seasons; at least 3 syntheses of these differences have been attempted  (3,4,5).  One benefit is the creation of  "seedbeds" for longleaf pines, which drop their seeds in late Fall.  These seeds (which are produced relatively infrequently, and primarily from older, larger trees) need to access mineral soil and are easily "hung up" in understory grass or shrubs. Ironically, typical winter burns occur almost immediately after seeds have dropped thereby destroying many seed crops. Therefore, managing longleaf stands with regular winter fires could eliminate regeneration of the dominant trees. Further, non-lightning season fires (especially if infrequent as they are in most areas) tend to favor development of dense shrub stems which may further hinder longleaf regeneration.

A perfect seed bed for longleaf pine seeds to establish

Serotinous Pond Pine Cone
Immediately after fire

Serotinous Pond Pine Cone
Just opened after fire

In contrast, Pond Pine (Pinus serotina) produces much smaller seeds, produces them at much younger ages, and holds them on the tree for several years until hot fire opens them.

Fires during any season, including winter, could potentially heat the serotinous cones and cause seeds to drop into freshly prepared seed beds.  Pond Pine also has the capability to reprout after even intense fires that could kill similar sized longleaf pines.  Taken together, these factors provide an environment where tree dominance shifts from longleaf pine to pond pine.

Pinus serotina resprouting after summer fire;
in addition to "main" epicormic sprout there are 3 others emerging (front right, back left)
Several previous stems (now blackened and top killed) were present from previous fire

Savanna in Brunswick Co., NC with a rare regenerating Longleaf pine (foreground) amidst taller saplings of Pond Pine
larger trees (rearground) are also Pond Pine

BELOW: Longleaf Savanna replaced by Pond Pine Flatwoods
Lone Pinus palustris persists near middle; dense shrub layer has developed






Longleaf pine relict indicating previous stand composition and open structure
One fire reduced some immediately adjacent & "invading" Pond Pine stems but
high fuel loads remain and threaten remaining Longleaf

BELOW: Longleaf Pine stand decimated by wildfire after heavy midstory development as in previous image;
standing dead are longleaf pines,Pond Pine present were killed and have not reemerged into midstory or overstory
dense tall shrub layer is still present

Although growing season fires are often thought to be important for various ecological reason one of the most important, yet least understood, may be the reversal of longleaf pine savanna replacement from dense, flammable stands of Pond Pine.  

References:
(1) http://www.wunderground.com/blog/weatherhistorian/thunderstorms-the-stormiest-places-in-the-usa-and-the-world
(2) Outcalt, K. 2008. Lightning, fire and longleaf pine: Using natural disturbance to guide management. Forest Ecology and Management 255.
(3) Robbins, L.E. and R.L. Myers. 1992. Seasonal effects of prescribed burning in Florida: a review. Tall Timbers Research Station. Misc. Publ.
(4) Streng, etal. 1993. Evaluating effects of season of burn in longleaf pine forests: a critical literature review and some results from an ongoing long-term study. Proceedings Tall Timbers Fire Ecology Conference 18.
(5) Knapp etal. 2009. Ecological effects of Prescribed Fire Season: A Literature Review and Synthesis for Managers. USDA General Technical Report PSW-GTR-229.

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Purple Mountain Pitcher Plants - New & Improved!

Purple Mountain Pitchers grow well in naturally occurring beds of Sphagnum moss
like these growing wild in Transylvania County, NC

Ron Deterrmann, has been tireless in his efforts
to secure conservation for Purple Mountain Pitchers  

                                                               Purple Mountain Pitcher Plants occur naturally only in a small region of the southern Appalachians (western NC, adjacent SC and GA).  There has been relatively little conservation attention focused on this narrow endemic, in part due to the relatively recent recognition of its distinctiveness. Schnell & Determann (Castanea 1997) published the new varietal status, thereby bringing needed attention to these unique plants.  


The NC Plant Conservation Program "protects" portions of two of the 8 known populations in the state (although perhaps more populations will become known as the NC Natural Heritage Program is just beginning to keep documentation on this plant for the first time (2014).

One of two protected populations mentioned above has approximately 150 clumps of pitchers and comprises what is thought to be the largest known population in the state. It is unclear why this population is so large compared to others in the region.  We do know that Sarracenia purpurea spreads slowly; Ellison & Parker (American Journal of Botany 2002) documented only a 5 cm median dispersal distance for pitchers in the northeastern US.  Further, Gotelli and Ellison (Ecology 2002) found that Purple Pitchers don't reproduce until individual rosettes reach 10 cm in diameter.  Our Southern Apps variety grows vigorously and flowers profusely in sunny & open habitats, as shown in the following image. In contrast, pitchers subjected to heavy

Mass flowering in an open, sunny, yet constantly moist habitat

shade lose vigor, diminish in size, and cease flowering.  The example shown below displays etiolated leaves typical of shading. This clump is actually smaller than the surrounding Galax foliage and has little chance of flowering or trapping insects. The site where it occurs has been heavily shaded for 20 + years.  It is unclear how long an individual pitcher clump or rosette can survive in dense shade.  Gotelli & Ellison (Ecology 2002) suggest rosettes may persist for 30-50 years, but this longevity is likely to be strongly affected by shading.  In any case, the diminished vigor translates to loss of reproduction, perhaps a significant reason other known populations are much smaller.  

Our large population was almost certainly larger at one time. We have documentation that the pitchers were "once so plentiful they sold for 50 cents a piece".  Even today, pitchers continue to be taken or poached hindering population expansion.  The first image below shows where an entire rosette was taken (depressed area directly in front of the remaining clump). The second image shows a clump partially removed (note the bud forming).  I guess in both cases the losses could have been far worse, eco-conscious poachers?

In spite of the poachers, we have extensively re-opened the site by removing dense shrubs.  Precise demographic data are lacking but we counted 32 flowers in 2012, 94 flowers in 2013, and 114 flowers in 2014. The majority of these flowers seem to be producing seed heads. It has been estimated that Northern Pitchers produce approximately 1000 seeds per head (Gotelli and Ellison, Ecology 2002). Although germination rates may be low, if seed production continues the population could begin to rebound. In fact, on a recent visit Ron Determann pointed out a few true seedlings..... with luck, continued management, patience, and support of our local poaching community the population may continue to rebound!

Purple Mountain Pitcher seed capsule 

Seedling Purple Pitchers

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Bulk Seed Sale: 7 Varieties of Cool Weather Salad Greens

7 Varieties of Cool Weather Salad Greens

I selected these bulk purchase seeds based on what I enjoy in my salads. There are 4 types of lettuce with different colors and shapes. A spicy arugula, an endive and some turnip greens. You can grow these in the spring and fall in most areas. They love the cool weather. I am growing these now in my greenhouse cold-frame for fall and hopefully winter greens.

Sprouted Seeds in the Cool Weather Seed Packages

Arugula Roquette
A leafy green with a slightly peppery flavor.  The young leaves can be used fresh or mature greens can be cooked. It will get to 3 feet tall when fully mature. It does not like heat. A definite cool weather crop.

Endive Salad King
Grows 2 feet tall. This is a dark green variety with curled and deeply cut leaves. The plants are slow bolting. Plants can stand a light frost. Plant in spring and fall.

Lettuce Danyelle
This is an incredibly red lettuce from baby leaf size to maturity. It is sweet and crispy with nice full heads and an upright habit. The plants are easy to grow and hold their quality in the field for a long time. 28 days baby leaf. 50 days mature.

Lettuce Grand Rapids
Non-heading variety with fringed and curled, sweet crisp, light-green leaves. Great for leaf picking and cut and come again lettuce. 45 days to maturity.

Lettuce Oakleaf
Medium-green oak leaf-like leaves are born on a single stalk/rosette. As outer leaves are picked, plant continues to produce tender new leaves. A unique loose leaf variety. Good container plant. 40 days.

Lettuce Red Romaine
A great looking lettuce. It is tender crisp with a sweet gourmet romaine flavor. Plants are 12" tall, slow to bolt and widely adapted. The leaves are green at the very base and red on top. The red color intensifies with cool weather. Great for spring and fall crops. It matures later in about 70 days but you can pick it as you wish.

Turnip Seven Top (Greens)
Popular turnip grown not for the root but for the delicious greens. It is an heirloom and has been around for 100+ years. It matures in 45 days. Another great cool weather green.

7 Varieties of Seeds for $ 9.75 (shipping included)

Click Here to My Seed Ordering Page

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