Time to plant garlic

The kindergarden classes planted up their garden with lots of garlic last week.  The process is simple:

Dig a hole, drop in the garlic clove pointy side up, and bury it.  Mark it with a stick, so you remember it is there, then wait for the little shoots to appear.  Watch the shoots grow, and wait for the scrapes (the curly flower buds) to appear in the late spring - these taste amazing sauteed in butter.   Wait for the plants to die back and then harvest luscious garlic bulbs in the summer.  Dry, and store for use over the next year.  Don't forget to keep a few to plant again in the fall.

Great detailed article here http://www.westcoastseeds.com/how-to-grow/Herb-Seeds/Garlic/

Some of last year's garlic crop

New Pear Tree in QE Orchard Garden

On October 11 Roger Philips come to help members of Green School plant a new Comice Pear Tree in the Orchard Garden.  The Empire Apple tree had to be replaced, due to a fungal disease called canker.  

Roger Philips is a Master Gardener and fruit tree expert at Stewart Farm in Surrey http://www.surrey.ca/culture-recreation/2875.aspx, and he kindly donated his time, expertise and the pear tree to our garden.  Green School members learned about the importance of preparing the planting area with rich soil, untangling the roots, planting to the correct depth, and watering well.  Mr. Philips also showed us the basics of pruning, and will be back in the spring to help us prune all of the trees in the orchard.

Remove from pot

Loosen the roots

Water the roots

check planting depth

water thoroughly