Talking Garlic at Burt's Greenhouses

Well another weekend...and another event about GARLIC!

This time I traveled to Wilton, ON to Burt's Greenhouses

to see Mr Brian Burt talk all about how they grow garlic.

Brian and Ruth have been growing garlic for sale for 5 years now.

Held in the greenhouse itself, it was a super informative talk.

It was interesting to learn from the growers perspective.

Why they grow what they grow and how.

Brian is a very animated speaker...

so it wasn't until I went to get out of my chair that I realized how long I'd been sitting.

He kept the small group hanging on his every word.

Brian spoke about some of the issues in growing garlic...

such as bulb and root nematodes.

They use french marigolds (as shown behind Brian in the above picture)

to help the garlic fight off the bad nematodes.

He also spoke about leek moths and 

how they spray the garlic in May with beneficial nematodes in the evening to combat this issue.

He grows Cutlass oriental mustard to fight off the pathological nematodes.

He overwinters the garlic in his greenhouses in order to 

maintain a consistent level of moisture and temperature.

He also top dresses the garlic rounds with chipped deciduous wood due to the high tannin content.

Brian mentioned that they specifically grow garlic rounds rather 

than bulbs to help keep the stock safe from pests that prefer a more developed bulb.

All in all it was a great talk that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in growing their own garlic.

It stores well (when properly harvested) and can be enjoyed in almost any dish!

I hope that Brian felt the event was a success and will repeat the event next September.

Verona Garlic Festival 2015

Saturday was the annual Verona Garlic Festival.

It has become quite an event for this community!

Thanks to BearRoot Gardens for this beautiful braid!!!

I just love stocking up on garlic.

Although we tried to grow garlic for the first time this year...

It wasn't a huge success.

Thank goodness for events like this!

Its a place where you can stock up,

Meet the grower and 

Learn something new!

 

There were many many vendors.

They came from all over Ontario!

The vendors were mainly garlic producers...

but they offered so much more!

All kinds of garlic...garlic pesto, garlic dips, marinades, sauces.

But not just garlic!

There was a honey vendor, a hot sauce guy from St Lucia, 

a booth offering wine samples...

The Tai Chi Society was out too.

Small farms trying to get the word out.

Garlic is great!

And shopping locally feels good.

(it tastes even better)

If its within reach, you should definitely make a plan to attend next year's event!

PS.  There were so many vendors offering free samples...

my mouth was certainly burning by the time I left!!!

Tis the seedy season!

Its such an exciting time...February...you can officially start counting DOWN to gardening season!  Yay!

Its also that time of year that gardening type shows are starting up.  Its a great time to get excited about the next growing season.  A time to learn some tips and tricks before you get to put them into action.  I am going to try going to a seedy saturday in my area...and see what it's all about...the Kingston one takes place on March 12 at the Central Library.

I first heard about Seedy Saturdays from my good friend Doug Kennedy of Green Side Up Environmental Services.  He operates out of Omemee and participates in an insane amount of public speaking events until spring arrives...then you'll always find him out on the road or working the land. 

I asked Doug some questions about these types of events and here's what Doug had to say!

What are seedy saturdays (sundays) all about?

Doug - These events are all about the promotion of seed trade/purchase in preparation of a new growing season as well as promotoing associated horticultural and gardening businesses, events and organizations.

What will you be speaking about at these types of events?

Doug - Topics I present at these events and others like it include native plants and gardening, soil and its importance, and other ecological or horticultural topics.

What are you bringing to the event?
Doug - During the different events I attend I usually bring my promotional material, and a some native plants (trees, shrubs, perennials) to sell or trade.

What would I (or anyone else...novice or expert) get out of an event like seedy saturday? Doug - It's one stop shop for acquiring your seed for the next growing season, whether its organic or hierloom. Also, there are organizations who attend some events and promote the programs which could include grant and volunteer opportunities. I always meet great people, expand my network and learn something at every event.

Why am i thinking about gardening at this time of year?

Doug - We are experiencing some warm spells, the spring is around the corner, days are longer. Spring is in the air and not to mention cabin fever.

What special qualifications do you have for being at these events?

Doug - None. All you need is something to promote, trade, sell, educate and talk about that is related to seeds or gardening.

What is your business Green Side Up Environmental Services all about?

Doug - We have a native plant nursery and provide a design/build landscape construction service including garden, tree, and stone work.

Do you specialize in any particular service(s)?

Doug - We specialize in natural approaches and ecological restoration as well as run a native plant nursery selling tree, shrubs, and perennials.

Any closing thoughts you have on seeds or these types of events?


Doug - Don't miss out on these events, they are a fundemental component of personal motivation and a foundation building block of the horticultural and gardening community.


Thanks Doug!  I hope everyone can get to a local Seedy event.  I included the link to the Seedy calendar...so you can search by town name and find one...but hurry...most of them take place in late February or early March.