More Garlic

I purchased 12 bulbs of garlic from the store then broke them apart to yield 69 of their best cloves for planting. It's a drizzly, gray day in early March and I am planting garlic a little later then I would like, however I think it's still going to work out. I've had better success with fall plantings, but back in 2012 I planted both in the fall and late winter to provide for a full late summer harvest. We'll see - it's always a big wonder to me putting seed in the ground.

I created two separate bed for garlic, and am interplanting the rest of the cloves. I wonder how each mico-crop will do depending on where it is in the yard, due to mineral deposits or deficiencies from previous harvests. Or for the garlic interplanted: will they do better by themselves or with others?

Heaven in earth!

From an herbalist's perspective, garlic may be the wisest choice for anyone to grow. It's main active ingredient allicin is said to be antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiviral. So it can be used topically for abrasions, inflammations or warts. It can be used internally to enhance immune system response to colds, flus, and autoimmune diseases. It also contains antioxidants, which trap free radicals in the body. Studies have demonstrated garlic kills cancer cells, roundworms, ringworm, athlete's foot, and staph.

If you are taking garlic and the allicin is interacting with toxic cells or other medications in your body you may experience side effects (of course). Stomachache, bloating, body odor, headache, fatigue are all symptoms that your body is detoxing. They are not necessarily bad, just signals to pay attention to, that are mostly a result of your own dietary choices. People on blood thinners should especially be careful, since garlic is also a blood thinner, reducing blood pressure. Something for people with lower blood pressure to pay attention to as well.

Mammoth Resilience

At first I put off turning in the cover crop because it was a low priority. I'd turned in a quarter of it to plant garlic and still had all these empty beds to concern myself with. As the crop grew taller I stabbed at it occasionally, until it became too dense to turn back under the soil. Then when the clover flowers started appearing I had to leave the crop alone. Now I get to watch a beautiful display of Mammoth red clover flowers arising to maturity. Before I move out of here I will harvest a bunch.

Why bother? Years ago I harvested some flower heads understanding it to be a liver cleanser. Looking into research a bit more now I see red clover acts as a diuretic - blood cleanser/thinner - and expectorant - releasing mucous - so is useful for respiratory and skin issues. It is a source for calcium, potassium and vitamin C - as well as isoflavons (estrogen-like compounds). Traditionally red clover was used to aid menopause and treat osteoporosis. A flower for the ladies.

In HerbDigest over the last 24 hours I've seen posts about treating cancer with red clover. Could it be true? Not according to the American Cancer Society. They published an article clearly pointing out there is mixed scientific evidence regarding the benefits of women regularly consuming phytoestrogens. Regardless I do wonder exactly I would put these flower heads to use given I'm not deadling with these health problems personally. Probably won't for some time either.

Read more: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/red-clover-000270.htm#ixzz1uRrS9NZj