Braids

Aromatic and tasty pantry door decorations! The stalks were so thick I can't seem to get them to dry. Hopefully they will continue to cure here.

I lost a small part of 3 different garlic heads to a soft rot. When peeling the remainder of the cloves in each (to keep in the fridge till used) it seemed those heads, though huge, may not have been quite mature. Two other heads have tiny insect holes; I placed them outside and plan to explore that later.

I need to remember to save the heads with the nicest big cloves to plant this fall for next years crop.

Garlic harvest

The tops of the garlic had yellowed, and when pushed over, stayed that way. Time to harvest garlic! I filled a large basket, I think somewhere between 35 and 40 heads; I did not count. You can see the size by looking at the quarter I placed on one head. Getting them properly cured (dried) will be the trick! For tonight, in an airy basket on the porch.

Under attack

My sugar snap peas are under attack from thousands of aphids. The aphids are under attack from lady beetles. I should move the good beetles aside and try some insecticidal soap on the aphids, but it is so much fun watching the drama work itself out that I have not been able to do so. Plus, the aphids are the only thing that finally stopped the little dog from chewing off the tops of the pea vines every day.