Topic: Growing Garlic

[redimp]

Have now read these two terms a number of times having never heard of them prior to joining A4A.  How do I tell whether the variety I have is soft or hard necked and is there anything else I should know about how to treat them both except one flowers and it should be removed and one doesn't so don't bother keeping an ey out for flowers?

[tim]

This doesn't answer you, does it! You need to know the variety that you have - then you can check.

http://www.garlicworld.co.uk/seedstock/index.html

[PrincessPlant]

Hi All,
         Just a note for those growing Garlic for its medicinal qualities, once subjected to heat its natural anti-biotic properties are for the most part lost.

It is only when eaten in the raw state that virtues of this wonderful herb enhance your health and wellbeing.

                                                             PREMTAL ;)

I read a book a while ago (I forget the title) which said that tests have been done and they show that cooked garlic has the same health properties as raw garlic. It is not destroyed by cooking.

[redimp]

This doesn't answer you, does it! You need to know the variety that you have - then you can check.

http://www.garlicworld.co.uk/seedstock/index.html

I think my choice was between Elephant and French Red (Wilkinsons - they only had two) and I like my leeks to taste like leek and my garlic to have plenty of garlic taste so I plumped for the French Red.  Good news then, its a hard neck and will keep well and is described as having good garlic flavour.

PS is it possible to grow garlic from seed?

[PREMTAL]

Hi PrincessPlant,
                         
We must argree to disagree on that one. :(

I have used plants for their medicinal properties for some 30 odd years and am well aquainted with the healing qualities they provide.

No disrespect intended :)

                                               PREMTAL
 

[tim]

Right - stand up the clever clogs garlic grower!! He knits as well?

dj?

[djbrenton]

Of course they might be plastic display ones ;D

BTW has anyone else noticed the trend for artificial hanging baskets?

[tim]

1. You wouldn't??

2. What a time saver. And no more drips on your head.

[agapanthus]

Redclanger...Yes it is possible to grow garlic from seed...and I have 50 plants on my bedroom window sill to prove it !!
One of the old boys at the lottie always grows his from seed and they are the best garlic I've ever seen. He gave me some seeds earlier this year so I could try it out. They are about 8" tall at the moment and when the weather warms up a tad I'll harden them off and plant them on the lottie. 8)

[BAGGY]

Who does the seed and does it need special care?  (probably get the white rot ayway knowing my luck)

[jennym]

I'd be interested to know where the seed can be bought too - or does the chap just let his plants go to seed and save his own?

[agapanthus]

He saves his own seeds year after year. I have looked extensively on the net but hav'nt come across anyone who sells them.

[jennym]

He saves his own seeds year after year. I have looked extensively on the net but hav'nt come across anyone who sells them.

Doesn't it take longer than a year for them to bulb up though?

[Derekthefox]

I am intrigued by the idea of growing from seed too ...

Derekthefox :D

[agapanthus]

It takes a bit longer....sow the seed in the autumn and by the summer they should be ready.

[salix]

Hiya,

I've got really heavy clay soil that I've been improving for the past couple of years.  I had an excellent harvest of garlic last year.  The only problem is that I had severe rust, so I chose to pull them before they were fully grown.  Still had lots of fat juicy bulbs though. 

I also tried Elephant garlic last year which was an incredible success.  Fun to pull them because they were so ridiculously huge!  Very tasty in stir fries too.

This year I have got my garlic from the the Really Garlicky Company - fab service and top bulbs.  Just planted them last week into last years potato bed with extra chicken manure pelletts and a thin covering of straw.

Next spring I'm going to plant the little mini bulbs that grew on the roots of the Elelphant garlic - has anyone done this before???  Do they produce useful bulbs?

hen

[djbrenton]

I've got some of those I'm planning on planting now and in the Spring to see the results. Surely they'll grow?

[Derekthefox]

Give them a chance Salix. I am growing elephant garlic for the first time this year too, they are looking quite happy with small green shoots ...
My other garlic (variety unknown) is also looking very healthy.

Derekthefox :D