​Garlic is one of the easiest and most rewarding crops for gardeners to grow requiring little care.  There are two main types of garlic: hardneck and softneck. The “neck” refers to the flower stalk that grows from the garlic bulb. Each type has many different varieties to choose from.
Hardneck garlic varieties have fewer cloves per head and are typically smaller. Stalk grows into a scape in spring, which should be cut off so plant puts its energy into the bulb. Cook your edible Garlic scapes.
Softneck garlic varieties typically found in a grocery store. Heads are larger, with more cloves,  longer shelf life. Hardneck varieties are better where winters are harsh, softnecks better in milder climates.

​Planting and Growing Garlic Garlic is the last crop planted in the fall about 4 weeks before the ground freezes and can also be planted in January or February. Garlic likes rich, loose soil. Prepare the bed before planting by raking a couple inches of compost and organic fertilizer like bone meal or “starter” into the top few inches of soil. A few days before planting, separate seed heads into individual cloves – there is no need to peel. Each clove will grow into a whole new head.
Push the cloves about 2” into the ground, blunt end down, with 4” between each clove. Rows should be spaced 8”-12” apart. After planting, water well. A couple weeks after planting, mulch with a 4 to 6 inch layer of straw or shredded leaves. The mulch not only protects the garlic from freezing temperatures, but it also holds in moisture and cuts down on weeds. Companion Plants: Things That Grow Well with Garlic: Peppers, Tomatoes, Carrots, Beets

Harvesting and Curing Garlic Garlic takes 9 months to be ready for harvest in early to mid-summer, when about ⅓ of the leaves have died. Loosen the soil with a large garden fork and gently pull up the heads.

          Plant in Fall (Sept-Nov) = Harvest in mid-Summer (June-Aug)
          Plant in Winter (Jan/Feb) = Harvest in Fall (Oct/Nov)

Cure garlic for a few weeks in a warm, dry place with good airflow: a shed or covered porch is ideal. Garlic can be hung from rafters or laid out on a rack. Once cured, brush off the dirt and trim the stems. Store garlic long term in a mesh bag, cardboard box, or other breathable containers to enjoy all winter.
Killarney Reds- Hardneck- strong and nutty flavor, does well in wet climates.
Musik- Hardneck- rich, aromatic, full flavored. One of the best and most popular varieties. 
Nootka Rose- Softneck- Heirloom- rich, strong flavor, rose streaked bulbs. From Puget Sound area. Good for braiding and does well in most climates. Medium head has many cloves.
Svea- Hardneck- rich & complex, purple marble stripes. Skin easy to peel. Does well in harsh climates.
Reference:  https://www.kellogggarden.com/blog/growing/growing-harvesting-and-preserving-garlic/

PutIt’s time to enjoy the vibrant colors of fall, plan for spring and get down in the dirt! Fall is one of the best times to plant, plan and protect your garden.
Plant: Fall is one best times to plant hardy specimens and spring blooming bulbs.  The ground is still warm allowing for the newly planted to get established while the winter rains hydrate roots.

• Plant sod or seed and apply organic fertilizer to your lawn & landscape
• Plant hardy trees, shrubs, perennials, cold season veggies, grasses, ground covers and spring blooming bulbs. 
• Add Fall Annuals and colorful perennials into pots, borders & beds- Pansies & Violas; Mums & Asters; Cabbage & Kale and Fall Color Vines (Purple Grape, Silver Lace Vine, Virginia Creeper) & Shrubs (Dogwood, Spirea & Blueberries), Evergreen Perennials (Heuchera, Tiarella & Hellebores), Broad Leaf (Euonymus, Azaleas & Lonicera) and Conifers.
• Start a Veggie Garden! Cool season veggies-there are a bunch- Broccoli, Kohlrabi, Brussels & Cauliflower; Cabbage & Kale; Lettuce, Chard & Spinach; Onions & Leeks; Radish, Rutabaga, Turnips & Carrots

Plan:  Design your garden, redo a bed or plan your spring garden.

• Make yourself a list of what you need to do and when. This saves you time and money in the long run.
• Research new varieties to try, build a greenhouse or cold frame and make raised vegetable beds. Organize your seed packages.

Protect: Plant roots, delicate foliage and irrigation.

• Apply Mulch like compost or other organic soil amendments 1-3” deep. This helps protect your plants roots from winter damage.
• Avoid heavy pruning in fall, best to wait until late winter.
• Irrigation systems need to be winterized, ask a professional when needed. Add a hose bib or spigot protector to all outdoor faucets.
• Bring in tools, wheel barrows and hoses to protect from freezing.

Learn more, take a class at Zenith Holland Nursery!  Put your Garden to Bed 9-29-18, Hydrangea Care 9-15-18, Fall Container Design 9-30-18 & 10-20-18 

Put Your Garden to Bed by applying some stategies to protect your plants during winter-both roots & delicate foliage as well as your irrigation, garden art & tools.
 

• Apply Mulch like compost or other organic soil amendments 1-3” deep. This helps protect your plants roots from winter damage. Place a thick layer of newspaper or cardboard prior to mulch to choke out weeds. Use G&B fertilizers and planting mixes (soil ammendments) as mulch.
• Avoid heavy pruning in fall, best to wait until late winter. Only Lightly prune and thin plants that need it.  Leave grasses and other perennials that produce seed heads for birds to eat over the winter intact, they can be cleaned up later in spring.
• Dispose of fallen leaves that are diseased or invested with insect pests. Remove dead needles inside of dense conifers producing better air flow and reducing spider mites. Healthy leaves and needles can be used as a mulch and are great to suppress weeds.
• Irrigation systems need to be winterized, ask a professional when needed. Add a hose bib or spigot protector to all outdoor faucets.
• Bring in tools, wheel barrows and hoses to protect from freezing. Also, any garden art that could crack during freezing weather should be protected or brought into the garden shed or garage. Moisture can get into the cracks of porous pots & statuary and when it freezes the ice can cause fractures, breakage, etc.
• Cloches, Cold Frames, Greenhouse & Raised Beds. Add protection to newly planted crops, allow to harden off before you directly plant into the garden.

Well, they are all related- “cousins” from the Saxifrage family- with a similar look, flowering habit and plant care requirements. Yet have a few differences and have an amazing range of foliage shapes, patterns and bold color variances. 
Heuchera - a.k.a. Coral Bells or Alum Root, are US natives, known for its many hybrid forms with striking, bold leaf colors. They are compact, evergreen perennials bearing round leaves with scalloped edges and various colors ranging from burgundy, crimson, red, coral, peach, purple, rose, green & yellow. Slender 1-2’ stems bear loose clusters of nodding, bell-shaped flowers typically 1/8” or less colored white, pink or red spring through fall. Make for long lasting cut flowers and are hummingbird attractors. Used in rock gardens, edges, borders and under shrubs or perennials. They grow partially well in containers having great fall and winter interest. They can take full to part sun, but prefer a cooler and drier site in well-draining, humus-rich soil. Divide clumps every 3-4 years in spring or fall.
Heucherella are hybrids that combine the flowering habit of Heuchera, and the heart shaped leaves & trailing habit of Tiarella- hence the name “Heucherella”. They produce foliage clumps 4-5” high 1-2’ wide or more. They are good in shaded rock gardens, as a ground cover and exceptional in hanging baskets & containers for their trailing habit. Plumes of small pink flowers appear in Spring & Summer. Heucherella require more shade and a bit more water than Heucheras.
Tiarella- a.k.a. Foamflower, are also US natives that thrive in shaded, moist woodlands. They are clump forming plants growing to 4-6” tall and 3’ wide. Evergreen leaves may change color in Autumn. Leaves are deeply loped divided into 3 tooth edged leaflets, often with multi-leaf coloration. Grow in part to full shade in well- draining. moist soil. 
 
All have Unique leaf characteristics including shapes, textures and patterns that Hummingbirds, Butterflies & Bees will all be attracted to, but not deer, they will avoid eating the foliage.    Use them as ivy or other invasive ground cover replacement, in containers & hanging baskets or anywhere in the garden where you need a low growing pop of long lasting color!  
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See http://www.terranovanurseries.com/growers/tiarella-c-82_29.html for more information.
Stop by and see what we have growing- over 20 varieties!