Garlic Harvest

Cambridge Farm finally had the opportunity to harvest the first fruits of the garlic crop for 2010.

With plenty more to come and also the Elephant Garlic this year the winter stews and roasts will certainly be tasty so make sure you put your order in... (especially when cooked in the pizza oven).

The harvesting was a pleasure as was the braiding (see image).

The Case for Garlic

Why grow garlic?

1. Garlic is in short supply globally and the costs have risen dramatically the past years. Prices above $30kg are common.
2. Garlic is fumigated with methyl bromide at entry to Australia for quarantine reasons
3. Imported garlic is often whitened by using chlorine or with a mixture of sulphur and wood ash. 
4. Imported garlic is often dosed with growth inhibitors. This not only extents shelf life but also stops sprouting while being shipped.
5. How can imported garlic be 'organic'?
6. In 2006 Australia produced 300 to 500 tonnes of garlic. Fresh garlic consumption stood around 3,500 tonnes that year. 
7. Garlic is good for the health.
8. Garlic makes food taste great!

Growing garlic in Tasmania

Plant in April harvest in December. Southern Harvest supply good quality garlic for planting. The also have some good tips for growing garlic.

What we've planted
August was when I came to understand garlic would be a good crop. My planting of about 30 plants was very late in the season. I reckon we will harvest in late January. Most of the crop will go to next seasons sowing. Plans are for large cultivation next year! 


...... garlic ..... do it !  ..... next year even bigger.