a-z, garlic

(Thanks to extremenutritioncoach.com for the pic)

My original plan was to work the list of vegetables in alphabetical order.  But as I was reading through my book, I learned that garlic should be started in the fall for a summer harvest.  I guess it's sort of like bulb flower - if you want them to bloom in the spring, they need to stew all winter underground.  Makes sense to me.

So I ordered the 2 lb Large Garden Pack, from Filaree Farm in central Washington.  It was pretty spendy at $40 with shipping, but the supply should perpetuate itself so next year (and the year after that, and the year after that...) I won't have to order any.  And this looks like good stuff - it better be good stuff. 

If you're interested in growing your own garlic next year - it's time to order it now.  Many sellers are running out of garlic seed (which really means a clove of garlic).  Mine will be shipped to me in mid-September.

a-z. the list (so far)

My only gardening book up to this point is The Edible Garden by Sunset.  It has an alphabetized list of veggies (and fruit, but I'm not dealing with that at this point).  I looked through it tonight - and reviewed some lists I found online - and came up with a list of what I am interested in growing.  It's a long list.

My idea at this point is to do regular "a-z" posts for each of the vegetables as a way to summarize what I learn.  Included will be information regarding different varieties, when to plant, when to harvest, cost of seeds/starters, ideal soil/sun conditions, spacing, and a tentative spot for them in my garden plan.  

Here's the list, about 73 so far: 

artichokes, arugula, asparagus, basil, bay leaves, beans

beets, berries, broccoli,brussel sprouts,cabbage, carrots,cauliflower, cauliflower, celery, chard, chervil, chives, cilantro, collards, corn, cress, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, fava beans, fennel, garlic, gourds, grapes, haricots verts, jerusalem artichoke, kale, lavender, leeks, lettuce, marjoram, melons, mint, mushrooms, mustard, mustard greens, okra, onions, oregano, parsley, parsnips, pears, peas, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, radicchio, radishes, rhubarb, rosemary, rutabaga, shallots, spices (nutmeg, cloves) spinach, squash, strawberries, sweet potatoes, tarragon, thyme, tomatillo, tomatoes, turnips, turnips, watermelon, yams, zucchini.

Some of these are purely exploring options, and the list may not be complete.  But it's a start.