Hi everyone, With heavy clay, and we have the heaviest, with in some places just a couple of inches of top soil, we used not to be able to work the ground until May or even June.
By adding large amounts of horticultural silver grit sand the ground is now workable anytime of the year and we have had the best crop of garlic ever and other crops too. The grit breaks up the clay beautifully, allowing it to drain and yet hold moisture, regardless of whether there is any organic matter added. Of course the grit isn't a substitute for adding compost and or muck. The grit will enable the clay soil to expand with the growth of the garlic.
So for the first time we are trying autumn growing of garlic and hope for a bumper crop. Melvyn
...........and I suspect (and hope!) that you won't be disappointed...but don't forget that you can also plant some spring planting garlic too....it helps extend the season somewhat!
Hi there, this will be my first year planting Garlic. I've bought some bulbs but I'm a little confused as to whether they are planted whole or in single cloves. Would be great if you could shed some light.
Posts
With heavy clay, and we have the heaviest, with in some places just a couple of inches of top soil, we used not to be able to work the ground until May or even June.
By adding large amounts of horticultural silver grit sand the ground is now workable anytime of the year and we have had the best crop of garlic ever and other crops too. The grit breaks up the clay beautifully, allowing it to drain and yet hold moisture, regardless of whether there is any organic matter added. Of course the grit isn't a substitute for adding compost and or muck. The grit will enable the clay soil to expand with the growth of the garlic.
So for the first time we are trying autumn growing of garlic and hope for a bumper crop.
Melvyn