Freshly dug garlic (Cristo).

Some things in the garden seem to grow fairly easily.  Garlic is one of those things!  We’ve grown garlic the past two years and have been very happy to have done so.

Garlic (Cristo) in June.

They don’t require special attention, really, and like well drained, fertile soil.  I watered them when we had quite dry weather so the soil wouldn’t dry out, but that was it.  They are ready for harvest when the greens die back.  Then I hang them in our back room to dry out completely.  This year I am planning on planting some in the winter, too.  I think it is more typical to grow it then.  That will be my first attempt at winter gardening!

Freshly dug garlic.

I was pretty happy with the quality of the soil as I was digging up the garlic.  We’ll be adding our compost to the beds as we continue to harvest the different vegetables, and fruit. It really does help the soil!  As for quality of soil, I have another story to tell.

Garlic & Geraniums

Cristo garlic.

My clematis starting to climb the obelisk a few months ago.

Back in March I posted about an obelisk which I set up for my clematis.  (You can read about it here: https://mominthegarden.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/my-showy-hellebores-an-obelisk-and-a-chocolate-pudding-recipe/ ) My clematis, ‘Bagatelle’ (Dorothy Walton), had one single flower last year!  We had moved it the year before as it was in a terrible position.  Fearing wilt after all of the rain we had last year, we needed to do something.  The soil in which it was planted really needed some extra attention. We dug it up and added compost, aerated the soil, fed it, and hoped for the best.  The difference in the plant this year is amazing.

My clematis early in the season.

This was the first flower this season. It has really thin petals (they get bigger as it develops).

Clematis (‘Bagatelle’ Dorothy Walton) after some rain.

Clematis in full glory!

There are a few different types of clematis. Mine is a late season variety.  So in February I will be pruning it back to about 12 inches from the ground, just above an old leaf joint.  That way I will continue to have flowers all along the plant, and not just at the top.

The obelisk is getting covered!

The plant climbed up the obelisk, and then right back down again! I’ve seen plenty of clematis that would have taken over this little obelisk!  But for now, this one will work for us.

The flowers of the ‘Bagatelle’ Dorothy Walton Clematis face the morning sun.

I took this picture yesterday. There are still new blooms!

Now that the clematis is doing so well, I’m thinking of getting another one. 🙂

Which is your favorite variety of clematis?
Dana