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October 19, 2020
It’s Garlic planting time
Medicare Open Enrollment is prime time for fraud Contact Information: Texas Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Jennifer Salazar, Director 1-888-341-6187 jsalazar@bbbhou.org It’s that time of year again. Open enrollment for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans starts October 15 and runs through December 7.
Krystl Philyaw Grayson County Master Gardener It is mid-October, and here in North Texas, it is time to plant garlic. The bulbs will grow in a wide range of soil types and pH ranges. As with anything you grow underground, your soil needs to have some tilth or fluff to it. If the soil is too compacted, the bulb will have a difficult time forming. You also need patience to grow garlic. The cloves you plant now will not be ready to harvest until May or June of next year. It is a long time, but garlic is one of the easiest herbs to grow, requiring minimal effort on your part. There are two different varieties of garlic, hardneck and softneck. The hardneck is typically grown in the north and softneck in the south. As you can see from the picture, they each form a different type of bulb. Hardnecks have fewer but larger cloves than softnecks. Another difference is hardnecks will produce a garlic scape. The scape is an edible central stalk that grows up from the underground bulb. It can be harvested and used in a variety of recipes. You want to cut the scapes; leaving them in place will diminish the underground bulb’s growth. If you choose to grow hardnecks, you get two harvests from one planting. The disadvantage of hardnecks is the bulbs have a shorter storage life after harvest. Softnecks typically are what you find in the grocery stores around here. I grow garlic in raised beds. I cannot speak about if garlic can be grown in containers. My guess is it would not be difficult given enough space to allow the bulb to mature. Many resources recommend buying “seed” garlic due to the possibility that growth inhibitors get applied to store-bought garlic. Store-bought potatoes are said to have been sprayed or dipped too, but I bet you have had one or two potatoes to sprout in your cabinet. I started three years ago with three bulbs of storebought garlic. Each year after harvest, I choose the largest, bestlooking bulbs to save for planting the next season. If you want to try different types, go ahead and purchase “seed” garlic. If you are only experimenting or want simple cooking garlic, head to the
local grocery and pick up 2-3 bulbs. Pick a sunny spot in the garden that you have added 1”-2” compost and that you are willing to give up for the next 8-9 months. Also, do not plant garlic where you planted onions in the spring. Break the bulb into cloves, leaving the skin on them. Insert the clove 2”-3” deep into the soil with the pointed end up and cover the hole. Continue inserting cloves, leaving 4”-6” between the “seeds” in each direction. The spacing is dependent on the size of your original bulb. Each planted clove should grow
It is so important that you review your Medicare Part D plans and your Medicare Advantage plans (if you have one) every year. Plans change and you want to make sure your prescriptions and doctors (for Advantage Plans) are still in your network.
When the tops turn and begin to fall, gently pull the bulbs up. Let them cure in a shady spot, out of direct sunlight for 2-3 weeks. Once fully dry, trim the tops and roots. Trim the stalk where it naturally bends above the bulb. If the stem is still stiff, let the bulb dry longer. Store trimmed bulbs in a cool, dry, dark place. Warmth and sunlight will cause the bulbs to sprout. It is easy to grow garlic. Prepare your garden spot and buy some bulbs. The best time is now to plant. Enjoy. Grayson County Master Gardeners Association is a non-profit 501( c)(3) organization sponsored by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Reach us by email at mastergardeners@co.grayson.tx.us, by phone at 903-813-4204, or txmg.org/ grayson, or our Facebook group.
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The changes you can make during Medicare’s Open Enrollment include: •
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Joining a new Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D prescription drug plan. Switching from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan. Switching from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare (with or without a Part D plan).
You should always shop for a new drug plan and Medicare Advantage plan each year to ensure you are getting the best coverage for the best price to suit your needs. You can shop and compare plans at www.medicare.gov. Get a family member to help if you don’t use the Internet or call the State Health Insurance Assistance Program at 800-252-9240 and speak to a qualified Benefits Counselor. to the size of that original bulb. Water well and keep moist, but not soggy. Soon small green shoots will appear. If you do not receive supplemental rain, add water if the soil is dry below 1”. Sit back and wait until the tops begin to turn brown and fall over late next spring or early summer.
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Medicare Part D Enrollment Scams to look out for: •
Medicare or a health plan calls and wants to send you a new health card for $299.
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You receive a call about a refund from last year’s premiums or your drug plan cost.
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An agent tries to sign you up for plan that you don’t need, isn’t right for you, or doesn’t even exist.
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Watch out for fake RX cards offering big discounts with little or no benefits.
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You receive a call offering big discounts on a new health insurance plan.
Agent/Broker Prohibited Behaviors •
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Agents may not state they are from Medicare or use the term “Medicare” in a misleading manner. Cannot solicit potential enrol-
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lees door-to-door (in person or via leaflet/flyer). Cannot approach beneficiaries in common areas (i.e. parking lots, hallways, lobbies, sidewalks). Agents cannot send unsolicited text messages and leave voicemail messages. However, agents may call or visit beneficiaries who attended a marketing or sales event when prior permission is given and documented. Cannot ask beneficiaries for a referral list (list of friends or family who may be interested in plan). Calls to prospective enrollees to confirm receipt of mailed information.
To learn more: contact the Texas SMP. Tips on how to Stop Fraud During Open Enrollment •
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Medicare will never call or visit. Medicare will only send information via postal mail service. Guard your Medicare card and number like a credit card. Don’t give out your Medicare number except to your doctor or other providers. Don’t let someone push you into making a fast decision. If you receive a call, especially from a number you do not recognize or anyone requesting personal information hang up immediately. Know your health care options. Get help from your family, the Medicare website or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). No health care plan is allowed to cold call.
If you have any questions or want to report a scam please doesn’t hesitate to call us at the Senior Medicare Patrol at 713-341-6184 or 888-341-6187. If you would like a presentation to your organization or community via Zoom or WebEx, please contact the Texas Senior Medicare Patrol. The Senior Medicare Patrol of Texas (SMP) is part of the national Senior Medicare Patrol Program funded by the Administration for Community Living. The Houston Better Business Bureau Education Foundation is the holder of the grant for the State of Texas.
