My garlic planting technique has changed this year, I tried to implement - even partially the well known Mittleider method, that I first read about more than 20 years ago. I do not like using chemicals of any kinds, but I appreciate the beds orientation, shape and maintenance</p><p>I planted Garlic in narrow rows with wide spaces between rows, beds and spaces in between on same level.

In the past I used to cover the soil in the beds with straw and hay, which eventually caused weeds overgrow, hard to maintain, and the worst part was that the soil in the bed eventually became hard as stone, and poor garlic bulbs were suffering and getting crooked.

So this year I use no straw, just soil, I keep the soil tilled and free of weeds, by  hoeing once a month and weeding at the same time.</p><p>Spaces between beds I just scrape once a months to shave off the weeds, and - amazing !! - I have no weeds on the garlic patch, where last year it was so infested, I could not keep up with them.</p><p>The only downside this year is that when we planted garlic last fall, the plantation spot was not even, in the middle of it water accumulated when heavy rain fell, so exactly in that spot, more garlic bulbs got rotten and died. Will keep in mind for next year planting :)