About Garlic

by Laurie

Some top growth may be experienced when first planted, which is fine, new leaves will appear in the spring. Be sure to pinch the coiled scapes on hardneck varieties to produce larger bulbs.

Garlic is ready for harvesting mid-summer. Wait for the foliage to die off and turn brown. Be careful not to cut into the bulb when lifting the bulbs for harvest. Use a pitchfork and bring up the entire bulb.

Dry garlic in a dry, warm, dark, airy place for a few weeks. Cut the stalks about an inch above the bulb and store in open mesh bags at room temperature. Save a few of your largest bulbs for next year’s planting.

Medicinal

Garlic has been reputed to help alleviate many medical problems, including: reducing high blood pressure, respiratory problems, and headaches, and to disinfect wounds, kill parasitic worms, and generally maintain health.

Sniff crushed garlic to cure hysteria. Olive oil that's been heated with garlic, strained, and cooled can be placed in the ear to help earache. Bruised and mixed with lard, it has been proved to relieve whooping-cough if rubbed on the chest and between the shoulder-blades.

Nutritionally, garlic is a great source of Vitamins A and C, potassium, phosphorous, selenium, and a number of amino acids. Garlic contains compounds that are antibacterial, antifungal and reduce blood clotting.

In order for the active ingredient that gives garlic its characteristic odor and its therapeutic effects to be released, the garlic clove must be cut or crushed. This releases an enzyme that causes the formation of allicin, the component responsible for garlic's odor and medicinal activity.

Cooking

Use Minced Garlic or Garlic Chips in pasta sauces, stews, and soups. Mix with oil and vinegar and Italian spices to make salad dressing.

Garlic Powder can be used in marinades, or mixed with herbs and rubbed into poultry, pork, or beef before cooking. Also a wonderful addition to dips, salad dressings and stir-fries. Garlic leaves may also be used fresh, just snip and add to your favorite dish.