garlic - again!

[tim]

- just to remind you that it likes '3oz Potash/sq/yd' at this time.

 Put in another 20' row today. Had to break the frozen crust to get them in. Hope they enjoy it!

If it doesn't work this year, after all the sterilisation, THAT'S IT!!  = Tim

[tim]

[The gardener]

mmm!!! thats interesting Tim, I generally give them 'nitro chalk' or similar as their first feed.

I give them potash later when I want to ripen & plump up the bulbs.

Do you have any particular reason for using potash now??

[tim]

- could well be wrong, but - quote - 'all garlic responds well to (sorry) 2oz/sq/yd SofP in early Feb'. OK, I was a bit late? But isn't there always a wind when you try to apply it?

That's from the growers. But a short-lived fert like SofP at this stage?
I can't argue! = Tim

[Mrs Ava]

Thanks Tim, will nip to the lottie society on Sunday to get some then straight back to the lottie to distribute.  Does this apply to shallots and onions or only the garlic?

[ruud]

Hi tim,i read you planted your garlic today.I did it already autumn last year.I also did it in feb-mar,but at the end they were a little bit tiny.My neighbour gardener told me then that he put  his garlicbulbs always in the autumninto the soil,so the have an advanced start and grows bigger.You should try it next autumn.

[tim]

EJ - don't know - with no expertise, I haven't bothered with fert before, and am just giving them K this year for good measure. Question arises - if you would normally use a general fert before planting, and you plant now, should you add the extra K to that??

ruud - that's what I had come to believe, but 'my' grower says that, planted now, they grow on without a check, and are therefore happier!! Can but try!! = Tim

[aquilegia]

Does this apply when it's only a month since you planted your garlic?

(dons dence mode) Is tomato feed potash?

[tim]

1. This was my question - with a quick acting fert it seems a bit soon?  And applies more to the autumn planted cloves? I'll check back with the chap for next year. I've plagued him enough for one year!

2. In a way - tom food is high in K, but also has N & P in it. Chap reckons most garden soils are rich in nutrients, but a good dose of K (at least) is a good thing.  Tim

[jammyd]

Hi all, I haven't got my garlic in yet  (busy building the raised beds)
How late can I leave it before I pop 'em in?

ta,
jams  8)

[philcooper]

Jammyd,

The usual advice at this time of year is to start them off in pots (I've used the 7cm square little black ones) in a cold greenhouse or cool window ledge as they will sit around for quite a time doin not much if you plant now. They do prefer a long growing season.

On fertiliser, as potash is for fruiting, it seems a little early and as an organic gardener I would give them some Fish, Blood and Bone - come to think of it, I will (at least half of them to see if it makes any difference)

Phil

[Mrs Ava]

Well, taken your advice Tim and been and got myself a box of suplhate of potash.  Going to the plot tomorrow for the morning so will give the garlics and light sprinkling.  It is inevitable that all my onions will benefit as they are all planted close together-ish.  ;D

[ruud]

Tim,we have at this moment snow and frost,so i went this afternoon to my allotment to see how the damage would be.quess what no frozen garlic,they were standing there straight and tall.So i dont beleve in your check,they are hardy.Mayby the growth stands still at the moment,but they have already a advanced start.Mine are already 20 cm tall.  

[tim]

Doesn't mean that the roots haven't slowed up?
Anyway - not my check - comes from a professional. - Tim