The Garlic Harvest Begins....

​Digging garlic and cutting garlic scapes are signs we will be returning to the Farmer's Markets in the next few weeks.  We are tentatively planning on returning to the Sunday Murrieta Farmers Market on June 17 with garlic, berries, and jam.  Berries aren't cooperating (will they be ripe?..) but the garlic has matured over the cold winter and is....

500 softneck "California Early" garlic (one wagonful in the first picture) are currently curing in our Ag building.  We cure in cool conditions for a minimum of two weeks to ensure the oils, flavor, and storage capacity are maximized.

We cut scapes (the flowering end of hardneck garlic- softneck does not bloom) to divert the plants energy away from the flower and into the cloves.  Scapes are great stir fried and are used in salad dressings, pesto, pizza toppings and even pickled.  Personally- I can't help chewing one as I cut and rack scapes.  We are going to freeze dry some this year and see how they reconstitute.  There are roughly four pounds of scapes in the second picture.  We will start digging and curing hardneck garlic in the next few weeks.

It has been a busy 'off season' and we are really looking forward to returning to the market!