I’m sure some of you may think it an odd thing to do, but for years now I’ve used Anzac Day as my garlic planting marker….if I haven’t got it in the ground by 25 April, it’s my priority for the day. I don’t consider it odd at all – it’s a contemplative kind of task….taking down the bunches still hanging in the cellar where I put them after harvest last year; finding the largest heads, then separating the biggest cloves – the finest specimens to plant (while the smaller ones go to the kitchen – how I wish it was the other way around!).
I’ve been saving garlic from each crop now for years – ever since I had such good results from a fabulous batch from Patrice Newell. If you don’t have space to plant your own, I really do suggest you join her mailing list so you’re assured of being notified as soon as she harvests her crop and you can place an order for your kitchen, if not your garden (around November). By coincidence, she’s just announced her first press extra virgin olive oil is available and I’ve sneaked in an order for a few bottles of her precious gold stuff from the Hunter!
But this afternoon I spent a good amount of time on my hands and knees, planting row after row of garlic cloves. It was a glorious day, and I planted many more seedlings and swathes of mustard leaf seed as well. Quiet tasks, fresh air and sunshine on a day to remember all that has gone before us.