I harvested the Garlic this morning. All the books I've got and the Google pages I've read say to wait until the leaves have turned yellowish and are starting to go over, then leave the Garlic to dry out in the sun until the papery covering is dry and ready to store.
I waited until the leaves were yellow and were going over, then the sun decided not to keep it's side of the bargain and instead the rain fell and fell and fell .....
My garlic was going soggy!! So this morning I dashed out during a lighter shower of rain and rescued the lot. I had to wash it and chop lots of the stem and some of the roots off as they were decidedly soggy. As you can see I have laid it on paper towels and trays and left it for a while on the Aga to start the drying process. Once the surfaces are dry I will move it to somewhere more ambient and leave it to dry out some more.
Most of it will have to be used pretty sharpish as the individual cloves are visible and won't store well at all, no hardship really as I will be making some chutneys with our courgettes and the onions I had to dig up prematurely, so some garlic will give a good depth of flavor. But I might attempt a small braid with the best of it.
My hands smell gorgeous at the moment, I really don't understand these people that search for 'things to stop your hands smelling of garlic' .... I love it, the longer it lasts the better :-)
As you can see from the picture the Aga is also busy drying the weekend working jeans as well as the garlic, definitely the Monday morning wash day 'blues'.
There are no other blues ..... here the washing machine does all the work. With it raining outside there will only be one other load going in today.
Years ago Monday morning meant real hard labour, I know I've been there, years without a washer and two small boys meant back breaking work over the bath washing, scrubbing and then wringing and hanging out. Clothes, bedding, towels and nappies mostly done daily but I usually tried to give myself Sunday off, so Monday was always a slightly heavier load to do. I'm glad those days are past.
One tradition I do keep up with though ... is a slumbering dog beside the Aga. Suky knows the best place to be on a wet Monday morning. :-)
Sue xx
