July 28, 2009

The garlic and shallots are all in the barns! Big John is very pleased with the '09 crop - both for size and quality - this also seemed to be a very good year for the Silverskins. The harvest crew from the last day is pictured below... missing are Maria and Bianca Arreola, stalwarts both. This year's "rookie of the year" is Alex Ramirez (hatless in the middle, grey shirt). Hope we can capture him for the planting season as well!



June 24, 2009

With Mt. Shasta in the background, the 2009 crops are not only picturesque but growing like mad. On a quiet morning, you can hear the garlic grow. Big John is expecting great yields. Cooler, wetter spring brought the crop along more slowly... not the sudden winter to summer jump like most years.



The garden was particularly blessed by the presence of Jay and Patty, important customers, from Fort Wayne Indiana. They seemed impressed with the garlic and left high hopes for the fall.




November 3, 2008

2008 has been a great year, forcing Big John to substantially increase both his garlic and shallot plantings. We planted close to 1,000 lbs. of cloves and added a new Porcelain Hardneck, Music, to the line-up.... it's all bedded in and mulched for the winter. Shallot sets for spring planting will also be available after the 1st of January.... they will go fast. There are less than a handfull of organic shallot planting stock providers in the entire US and Big John is pleased to be one.



Freshly harvested French Red Shallots. Yum!



Bedding in the 2009 crop.


July 20, 2008

The 2008 harvest is going full blast in The Garden and everyone is absolutely enthralled by Big John's new garlic "lifter". Say good-bye to the pitchfork forever. Much less grumbling from the workers. By simply undercutting the garlic and fracturing the bed, it makes the rest of the process a breeze. The crop looks wonderful!




May 19, 2008

June is Scape Season in Big John's Garden. Some culinary experts consider the milder, more subtle flavor of scapes as a great way to add some garlic flavor to many different dishes - salads and soups, primarily. Check out the scapes page for a simple, yet delicious soup recipe.


May, 2008

Klamath County, Oregon is proud to count Big John as one of its most successful growers and as an active community participant. Check out the article on Big John's Garden in the Klamath County 2007/2008 Resource and Relocation Guide published by the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce.






December 1, 2007

The garlic and shallots are all bedded in for '08 - Big John will be doubling production next year with a little help from his friends. Longtime Klamath organic (also Oregon Tilth certified) dairy farmer, neighbor and friend John Bair came up with the idea of spreading the mulch with his high-capacity manure spreader - see the picture! Anyone who has ever been involved with this operation doing it the "old fashioned way" knows that a major debt of gratitude is owed Mr. Bair. You just want to make sure it's not a windy day...




October 12, 2007

This is a great time of year... things have cooled off and it's planting season! Demand for good organic garlic and shallots has never been higher as more and more people are appreciating these wonderful crops. With a little more than a month left to plant, Big John wants to update you on supplies and make some recommendations. This has been a great year for size and quality. On the Softneck side, the Artichokes take the prize... The Lorz Italian, Inchelium Red and Red Toch are particularly nice. For the Hardnecks, the Chesnok Red and Killarney Red are great, still in supply, but going fast. And, the Dutch Yellow Shallots are beautiful planting stock and plentiful. Order now before we're sold out!


September 21, 2007

The garlic roasters are finally here!! Take a look at our latest accessory: a multi-bulb garlic roaster hand-crafted by Frog Dynasty Ceramics. Visit our store to get one of your very own.





July 15, 2007

The garden is in mid-harvest and Big John swears he's never seen garlic this big! Big John's Garden has always prided itself on producing great size - especially important for growers - but this year tops all. Maybe it was the cooler June. You can see from the pictures... this crop is truly special.

A big Thank You to all of you that have helped this year!



Check out our hefty crop!



Harvest "workers".



Amulfo with a remarkable Killarney Red crop.


May 20, 2007

The 2007 garlic crop is looking healthy. Check out the latest photos from the farm.












April 16, 2007

Big John gets a 3-page spread in the Hobby Greenhouse Spring 2007 Newsletter!

Visit Hobby Greenhouse on the web:






March 18, 2007

The 2007 garlic crop is sprouting!! Take a look below at the growing garden:



2007 Garlic is Up!




The long view.


February 20, 2007

Big John's Garden Recommended by
domino magazine!!

Check out page 87 in the March 2007 issue of domino where Big John's Garden was named the resource for organic garlic growing information. The article is entitled, "garden of earthly delights," and features organic gardener Michele O'Hana's tips on growing chem-free fruits and veggies that work for everyone from the backyard farmer to the windowsill novice.






November 27, 2006

       Big John would like to extend a big "THANK YOU" to all his great 2006 customers! It has been a truly wonderful year. Looking forward to 2007!

       Big John is happy to report that the 2007 crop is all bedded in and ready to sleep through the winter. The planting season was just right - good rains came right after we finished mulching. Due to fantastic customer response, planting of both garlic and shallots was increased!


Midplanting 2006


One of the dogs lends a hand with the planting