garlic intensive cultivation

In the fall, prior to planting, soils were
fertilized with organic sources of N, P, K

Garlic bulbs were split and cloves
planted through IRT plastic

Planted beds were then mulched with seaweed
​and plastic and left through the winter

In the spring, garlic shoots sprouted through the
​holes in the IRT and overlying seaweed

Newly emerged shoots were sprayed with foliar
​spray of seaweed and fish fertilizer  

Once scapes had formed they were cut to force larger bulb growth

If scapes had not been removed,
bulb size was smaller

The end results were impressive!

harvest, storage

Once leaves began to turn brown
the garlic was harvested

cleaned and bundled garlic

Hang bundles in a cool dark place
to dry and “cure”

Once completely dry, bulbs
were sorted and graded

Graded bulbs were then trimmed, cleaned and prepared for market

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health benefits

Why do we grow organic garlic?  There are as many reasons for growers to produce local foods as there are for consumers to purchase locally.  The reasons are ecologic and economic, geographic and geopolitical.  Our garlic is a healthy, chemical free, locally grown crop.  We do not use herbicides or pesticides.  Our garlic is grown in a sustainable manner that nourishes and builds the soil.  Our garlic may cost a bit more, but local sales support local communities.  Since Alaska is far from major agricultural areas in the lower 48, this allows at least a portion of the customer’s eating habits to be filled locally, contributing in a small way to our food security.  Our small-farm garlic is fresher, more flavorful, and more wholesome. Providing an Alaskan grown product to local buyers indirectly reduces our dependence on foreign oil, reduces emissions of carbon dioxide incurred during the long-distance transport of produce (thus reducing global warming), and diminishes, in one small way, the influence of large chemical company lobbyists in our government.  Eat wholesome foods, buy local produce, and demand organic! 
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If you would like to read or learn more, please check out the websites and books listed below.

World Health Organization page on Food Security 

Maria Rodale's book Organic Manifesto

Michael Pollan's website and books;
Ominvore's Dilemma, In Defense of Food, Cooked

Joel Salatin, Polyface Farm website

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