By Isabella Falsetti and Angela Hoy

This week at the garden, gardeners have been planting lots of garlic! The garlic clove is actually condensed plant material, like a leaf, and can be planted straight into the ground like a seed. All of the root tissue is condensed at the bottom of the clove.

On Wednesday the gardeners planted Yugoslavian red garlic, a variety given to Alex by his grandmother that can’t be found in stores.

When planting garlic, you’ll want to make sure the cloves are sitting upright with the pointy side on top and the roots at the bottom. Larger cloves will yield larger plants because they have more energy stored within them. Make sure to leave some layers of skin on your cloves to protect them from rotting once they’re in the ground.

The fall colours are on full display at the garden!

Despite the forecast on Sunday, the weather was kind to us and it didn’t rain! We harvested, kale, leeks, baby turnips, and beets. We also planted the rest of the garlic and distributed the less-than-perfect cloves.

The gardeners also tidied up the entrance ways and Art made drainage channels at the south end of the garlic bed.

After a warming bowl of pumpkin soup and bread, we were ready for the afternoon session.

Our next guided work party is Wednesday, Nov. 15. Sign up to join a guided work party here. No experience necessary and all are welcome!