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Garlic

InTheMoorlandsInTheMoorlands Posts: 161
in Fruit & veg
Early last year we planted a load of garlic, Lidl's finest!

We had a good crop and are going to do the same again this year.  Trouble is that we cannot remember the month we planted it out, but I know it was early. 

I've check on the RHS site and it says to plant late summer, so I'm not sure why we planted in spring.

Anyone any suggestions please?


At about 750 feet on the western edge of The Pennines.  Clay soil.  
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  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    We planted our garlic in December. Most garlics tend to be planted out late autumn early winter. We have planted out shop bought garlic before but not had much success like you have had. The guidance is to avoid shop bought as they could carry diseases but you did have a good return buy the sound of it.
  • InTheMoorlandsInTheMoorlands Posts: 161
    bertrand-mabel said:
    We planted our garlic in December. Most garlics tend to be planted out late autumn early winter. We have planted out shop bought garlic before but not had much success like you have had. The guidance is to avoid shop bought as they could carry diseases but you did have a good return buy the sound of it.

    Yes, we did OK.  This is a part of our garlic crop at the end of June 2023:


    At about 750 feet on the western edge of The Pennines.  Clay soil.  
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    They look pretty weak compared to the garlic I plant - November or December depending on weather and always for planting as it's certified virus free.  Ready for harvest by mid July.    Garlic bought locally for planting will be suited to your climate whereas shop bought might have come form warmer climes and need heat to grow well.

    Either way, they do much better in the ground than in pots, as I discovered last year when I ran out of room in the bed and planted the spares in window boxes.

    https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/garlic/grow-your-own   
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • InTheMoorlandsInTheMoorlands Posts: 161
    They look pretty weak compared to the garlic I plant - November or December depending on weather and always for planting as it's certified virus free.


    That's interesting, as I thought that we had done quite well.  I might try some from a nursery this time to compare them.

    Either way, they do much better in the ground than in pots

    We have quite a large wildlife garden which was expensively laid out quite a few years ago.  There is nowhere to plant vegetables.  This wasn't a problem until we retired in 2022.  Basically everything must now be grown in pots and the like.





    At about 750 feet on the western edge of The Pennines.  Clay soil.  
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    @InTheMoorlands  I haven't grown garlic for a while but used to buy from one of the reputable suppliers and plant out in Sept/Oct.  They were ready to harvest sometime around July/August and then I would start again ( usually on a new bit of ground ) following the same routine.
    I'd like to grow it again as I use a lot of garlic but, like you, space is now limited.  Never tried them in pots/containers so be interested to know how successful you are with whatever variety you decide on.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    If you must grow in pots, make sure it's best quality loamy compost with a bit of multi-purpose mixed in for water retention and make sure you feed and water regularly.  There's only enough fertiliser for 90 days in planting composts and your garlic needs at least 6 to 9 months to develop a full bulb.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • diggersjodiggersjo Posts: 172
    You can plant garlic Autumn or Spring, but we have always found Autumn planting to be best. This year we planted a mixture on 25Oct and they are doing very well at about 20cm high and about 1cm across. They look a bit pale, but they did last year and the foliage darkened rapidly once the days become longer (from now). The supemarket row we planted is currently the weakest by far, but that might just be the position (last row) or (unknown) type.
    Yorkshire, ex Italy and North East coast. Growing too old for it!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    According to the RHS most varieties do best if planted in the autumn and exposed to a cold period …

    “…Garlic is usually planted in late autumn or early winter, as it needs a period of cold – most varieties need one to two months at 0–10°C (32–50°F) for good bulb development. However, a few varieties are suitable for planting in early spring.…”
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/garlic/grow-your-own 




    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • WonkyWombleWonkyWomble Posts: 4,541
    edited 4 January
    I seem to remember that garlic needs a period of cold weather to ensure the bulb divides into individual cloves.
  • diggersjodiggersjo Posts: 172
    Lots of places sell spring garlic (not our preference mind you), but for winter, now would be good as apparently it's going to be cold....
    Yorkshire, ex Italy and North East coast. Growing too old for it!
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