I am unsure if I even need to do this in our region, but just in case I figured it would be a good idea to put a layer of hay over the garlic and shallots growing in raised beds. In colder climates they suggest you add mulch so hopefully hay in a less harsh winter environment will work fine. We can do the same on a larger scale when it comes to next years project. But for now these little beds only needed a few bales of hay to cover them all up.
The hay was put down around a week ago, and it started getting warm again. I guess this made the garlic and shallots grow through the hay. Hopefully that is fine. It is hard to figure out when the cold is going to stay, so planning sometimes things change and the warm weather returns.. most of November was quite warm.
Really need to redo my labels. At least this time I did not lose them to the wind, but moisture got into the bags and the ink I wrote with is wearing off. Will probably laser print some labels and put those in bags. Thanks for every ones suggestions, some really interesting ones like using old window blind shutters and writing on them. But I think the baggie method is working fine for now.
Seems they emerged and then got cold and started curling. Probably responding to the cold, not sure if they are going to die back and just look sad through the winter. First time growing these for me, so its a all new experience.
If it stays cold I expect them to stop growing.
Another bed with a label that is hard to read, I think printing it out on laser is the best bet for an easy solution.
Luckily I can still read most of the others, so I think I will be able to figure out which is which. I can always look back at my previous posts, that helps too to figure out when the labels wear off like that.
So I think this is enough hay for now, if I put down too much it will just blow away when we get good storms.
Really looking forward to next year when they start growing again. I expect them to take off once the ground warms up.. probably around April.
I think all I need to do is keep the beds free of weeds and cut off the scapes as they form. It will be a good test for how things will go on a larger scale I would think.
Things are looking pretty bare at this time of year, but that is fine. It is the time to rebuild and be ready for next years plants. So lots to do, mostly working on the beds. And next year should be a good growing year I think.
So lots of new things to experience next year.