I grow a lot of garlic here at my Bedford, New York farm and up at Skylands, my home in Maine. I plant it in the fall, harvest it the following summer, and then let it thoroughly cure in a dry, warm place. Yesterday, the garlic was cleaned and trimmed - a process that takes some time to complete, but is the last step before bringing the garlic in to use and enjoy.
Here are some photos.
I always grow lots of garlic to use in my cooking and to share with my daughter, Alexis.
I harvested this year’s garlic back in July. Determining when garlic is ready to harvest can be tricky. If it’s harvested too soon, the cloves are small and underdeveloped. If harvested too late, the clove heads begin to separate, making them more vulnerable to decay. The real indicator is the plant itself – when the bottom leaves have turned brown, and the top leaves are still green.
When harvested, each one is pulled out carefully from the base, so that the head comes out completely.
Here is a freshly picked garlic head.
All these garlic heads were picked at the right time.
As it is harvested, the garlic’s long stem is cut slightly and then the head is placed in a breathable crate, so it stays dry. And then all are taken to a well-ventilated warm location with good air circulation so they can start to cure. It’s wise to avoid full sun and direct sunlight, as it can alter the flavor.
These were left in my carport, where they were protected from any elements.
Several weeks later is when the next part of the process is done. Yesterday, Elvira got them ready for storage by cleaning and trimming each garlic head. Elvira wipes each one with a dry rag removing any excess dirt.
Garlic is considered cured when the outer skin is dry and crispy, the stem neck is constricted, and the cut stem’s center is hard.
She trims each stalk more leaving about two to four inches. Trimming the stalks makes it easier to store and keeps them neat and uniform.
Elvira removes any loose, dry, papery outer skin, leaving the thinner, more delicate skin underneath intact.
Next she trims the roots being careful not to cut the skins that protect the cloves.
Elvira leaves about a half inch of roots.
Here is a garlic head after it is cleaned and trimmed.
Elvira wipes the garlic head one more time to ensure all the dirt is removed.
And then drops each one back in the crate, separated from the uncleaned batch.
And remember, a garlic head, also known as a garlic bulb, is the entire bulb of garlic as seen on the right. A garlic clove is one of the individual segments that make up the bulb as seen on the left.
After they’re all done, Elvira places each cleaned head on a tray lined with parchment paper. One can also lay them out on newspaper. They will continue to cure here in my carport until I bring them into my kitchen to be used.
They are placed in a single layer to continue drying. They can also be kept in breathable bags, boxes, or trays and placed in a cool, dark place with good airflow. This will help the garlic last longer and prevent it from sprouting or molding.
It takes some time to get through all the garlic. Garlic can be kept in good condition for a few months at ambient temperatures of 68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit under low relative humidity. And be sure to save the healthiest bulbs to plant next season.
Although cats are remarkably clean, well-groomed animals, I've always been a firm believer in regular brushing, combing, and bathing. Here at my farm, I have six felines. Three of them are long haired and reside in my Winter House - my silver shaded Persian Magnolia, my dilute calico Persian Dahlia, and my brown Persian longhair Lilium. Every afternoon, their faces and ears are cleaned, their nails are checked and trimmed if necessary, and their coats are given a good, thorough combing.
Enjoy these photos.
This is Lilium – very friendly and always ready for a good rub. As part of the daily routine, my cats are brought down to the basement, one by one, for a short grooming session.
This is Dahlia, the youngest of the trio.
But first up for grooming is Magnolia. The cats know when it is grooming time. Sometimes they go downstairs on their own. Sometimes it’s a little more challenging to find them.
For daily grooming, I use a multipurpose comb for the cats because it is so light and easy to use, gets out tangles and dander, and makes grooming so quick. I also have a cat nail clipper on hand in case any nails need trimming.
These are my Martha Stewart Pet Wipes from my shop on Amazon.
Magnolia’s face is cleaned with a pet wipe to help remove dirt, odors, and stains from her delicate coat while conditioning the skin. They’re perfect to use daily.
Magnolia doesn’t seem to mind it at all – she stays very still.
I also use the wipes to carefully clean around the outside of the ear canal – never inside. Since this is done regularly, there is little dirt, but it is also good practice, so the cats are comfortable being handled.
Enma checks to see if any of Magnolia’s nails need trimming. When trimming, be sure to only trim off the tip. And only cut the white part of the nail – never the pink part, which is called the quick – this is where the nerve and blood vessels are located.
Enma combs with one hand and uses the other to hold the fur down where she is combing – this prevents pulling, which could be uncomfortable.
It’s always good to look for and remove any matted fur. This is important because collected mats can cause irritation and hairballs. My cats are brushed every day to keep their coats as tangle-free as possible. Baths are done only when needed.
Next is Dahlia, who starts to fall asleep during her brief grooming session. Enma is sure to wipe in between the creases. This helps to prevent possible tear staining.
Always be sure to introduce the cat to new tools before using them, so they never shy away from grooming time.
Dahlia is getting her nails trimmed also. Pet nails grow quickly, so it is important to check them often and trim whenever needed.
Finally, it’s Lilium’s turn. She’s the biggest of the three.
Lilium loves to be combed. She stays on Enma’s lap for the entire session.
Here she is on her back while her stomach is combed.
And a good, thorough face wiping. I am sure they all feel fresh after a little grooming.
Right after, it’s upstairs for a scratch on the cat tree.
You look beautiful my dear Lilium. I always cover the pets’ favorite resting spots with towels. Doing this keeps these areas extra clean, and extra cozy.
Magnolia is ready for a nap. My cats definitely like their routines – they like to sleep and lounge in the same places.
And here is my pretty Dahlia, who loves to be near anyone who will notice her. I am so glad my cats are all are very healthy and happy.
My three year old garden maze is filling in so wonderfully.
The three-acre pasture just outside my Winter House is the setting for my maze. Since work began I've planted a variety of different hedges, espaliers, trees, and shrubs - hundreds of specimens that I selected to add texture and interest, and all according to a detailed map I created specifically for the space. Each row branches off with various pathway options and dead ends, but with only one correct route to the center. Guests who wander through are stumped at almost every turn.
Here are some of the latest photos, enjoy.
British horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll once said, “A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust.” I’ve had to be very patient and careful in planting my living maze, but it’s growing beautifully. This is a selection of Platanus acerifolia ‘Bloodgood’ trees, also known as London planes.
I planted these trees in early November 2022. They are planted in a rectangle with two long rows and two short rows and an open space in the center. These trees are large shade trees with broad open crowns. Looking closely, one can already see some of the fallen leaves – the seasons are beginning to change.
These trees are sought after for the three-lobed, toothed, dark green leaves that turn yellow, orange, and red with the fall season.
Its bark makes it even more interesting because it sheds in a patchwork pattern with growth and age.
This is one of several Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Slender Silhouette’ trees, American sweetgums. As these trees mature, they will maintain their erect, columnar form, growing up to 50 feet tall and only about four-feet wide.
The deciduous dark green leaves are a beautiful star-shape.
And while they are green now, in autumn the leaves show a kaleidoscope of colors, including vibrant yellow, orange, red, and purple.
I have three of them here that are towering over the other plantings. The ‘Slender Silhouette’ sweetgum is highly adaptable, drought-resistant, and easy-to-grow, but it does best in well-drained soil where it can get full sun.
Red Beauty holly has bright red berries combined with glossy, dark green foliage. Many varieties of holly, Ilex, have compact habits and glistening leaves that’s excellent for hedges, borders, and yes, mazes.
The long, upright-growing branches of Hick’s yew have dense, glossy, green foliage that naturally forms a narrow habit. And right now, they are showing off berries, or red drupes, which usually come out in late summer and persist through fall.
An espalier refers to an ancient technique, resulting in trees that grow flat, either against a wall, or along a wire-strung framework. Many kinds of trees respond beautifully to the espalier treatment, but fruit trees, like apple and pear, were some of the earliest examples. Espaliered trees can grow between four and eight feet apart – enough to allow them room as they grow, but still be close enough for a proper espalier. Among the apples in my maze are Liberty apples, Gala apples, Braeburn apples, and Yellow Delicious apples.
Paul’s Gold threadleaf false cypress, Chamaecyparis pisifera, has year-round golden green foliage. The soft sprays of Paul’s Gold threadleaf false cypress emerges yellow in the spring and retains its gold color throughout the winter.
Parrotia persica is in the family Hamamelidaceae, closely related to the witch-hazel genus Hamamelis. It is native to northern Iran and southern Azerbaijan and it is endemic in the Alborz mountains. It grows best in USDA zones 5 to 8.
Some of these leaves are also changing colors. Parrotias have a long-lasting, elaborate autumn color display of ever-changing leaves that show off yellow, orange, burgundy and red hues.
This is a hedge of European hornbeams. Botanically known as Carpinus betulus, the hornbeam is a fast-growing deciduous tree. In fact, it can grow about four to five feet per year. It is native to Western Asia and central, eastern and southern Europe, including southern England.
Hornbeams are often confused with the common beech because of their similar leaves; however, the hornbeam leaves are actually smaller and more deeply furrowed than beech leaves. The leaves are deciduous and alternate, with serrated margins.
The ninebark is a deciduous spring-flowering shrub often planted en masse.
In autumn, the leaves develop a tinge of bronze. Ninebark can grow 12 to 18 inches per year, but it can also tolerate hard pruning when needed.
My overall plan is to plant as many interesting trees, hedges, espaliers, and shrubs as possible in this space and to create a fun and challenging living maze. The plants are spaced closely, so they become closed hedges in time.
And close to the bottom north end is my giant eagle – looking out toward the landscape beyond. I’m looking forward to completing this project and watching all these plants mature and also confuse those who stroll through… after all, it is a maze.
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