Garlic

[Deleted User]

Sorry if this seems a basic question ...

For the first time I thought I'd try to grow Garlic (heard on GQT that it's best to plant it in the Autumn).

So - in order to do this as cheaply as possible, I wonder - do I really need to buy garlic bulbs from seed companies or can I try to use cloves from bulbs on sale in food shops, and also, how rich does the soil need to be ? Also, does it need to be planted in full sun ?

Thanks

Tinks32

Its not:)
You can, but don't be surprised if the garlic you grow is not up to much! You can never be too sure if they are carrying diseases.
Yes grow in the Autumn in full sun. DT Brown are a good supplier, they have a very good selection but be quick they sell out very quickly. Isle Of white garlic farm are also very good. Off on a tangent now next year look out for their garlic scapes (which are the tops of the garlic ie flower stalk, looks like a spring onion top) extremely good steamed and served with garlic butter and eaten like asparagus/artichoke. They are only available for a few weeks and sell like gold dust, imo they are better than the garlic!

forgotmyname

I think they said plant it on the shortest day? Or was that by the shortest day?

We had a good crop 2 years ago and didnt need to grow it this year.

It needs a frost to make the bulb split into the cloves.

I tried shop bought and proper seed ones. Not a great difference between them. Seed ones did a bit better, Slightly larger bulbs and higher success rate.

rabidbun

I have tried a mix - am mostly planting my own and perhaps some from Seeds of Italy if I see it. I have not had good luck the last time I got garlic from the Isle of Wight supplier.

If you want the scapes, make sure you get hardneck varieties by the way. They are very nice, and can also freeze these for later used chopped up.

Sally_A

I bulk buy from another forum, at approx 11p per head which gives me 6 ish cloves to plant - these are sourced from the Really Garlicky Co, and variety is Music.

Might seem daft growing your own when you can buy Spanish garlic at 2 heads for 50p in the supermarket.

However, home grown is so much wetter, fresher, sweeter, tastier than shop bought. Please try at least once, the taste will blow your mind.

Plant now until early December, harvest the bulk in July/August....but realistically I start using from May onwards, just digging up on an as needed basis.

rum1

Mine will go in very soon

aeromint2

Hi,

I planted some garlic bulbs at the beginning of this month, in cells, and they already have shot up a lot. This is the first time I have grown garlic, so I was wondering, should I grow them in the greenhouse or plant outside? Any tips appreciated.

Thanks

MollyDolly

Outside, as soon as poss or they will get used to the protection. Always benefits from growing outside.:)

Jolaaled

Trying to get organised for autumn garlic-growing!

I'm tempted to try planting out shop-bought bulbs (as they only cost around 30p each), in comparison to the bulbs which are sold specifically by seed merchants.
e.g. Thompson and Morgan give you just 2 bulbs for £5.99!

http://www.thompson-morgan.com/vegetables/all-other-vegetables/onion-shallot-and-garlic-sets/garlic-germidour/aww4104TM

Am I missing something critical that is worth the £2.50 per bulb price difference?

thanks all!

danih

Planted some garlic from my kitchen that had green shoots coming from them a couple of weeks ago as an experiment, still haven't got round to checking how to grow them successfully, so v pleased to have found this thread

poorly_scammo

My two penneth: I buy 'Music' from here: http://www.reallygarlicky.co.uk/garlic Planted it last September and harvested it in July. It is fabulous stuff. Full of flavour and was easy to grow. Going to buy some more next month and do the same.