Planting Garlic and Onion

[daisydoo]

This is my first winter as an allotmenteer as I took over a half plot during the summer. I have some garlic and onion sets ready to plant now. Is there any particular ground preparation I need to do prior to planting them? 

[daisydoo]

[tim]

In passing - hello!!

There's lots to 'search' on this, but some kind expert will brief you.

[djbrenton]

Best tip is to thaw the ground out before planting  ;D

[john_miller]

I would apply some phosphorous, from bonemeal if you are organic, to encourage rooting but stay away from anything that will supply nitrogen at this time of year. If your soil is frozen then getting a good tilth might be a problem and you may want to overwinter them in pots to plant early next year.

[Lily]

You may want to try getting one of those large, small potted seed trays (they hold 30 plus little seedlings).  If you fill them with potting compost and place the base of the onion/garlic set in the compost, you will get a nice little root system over the winter which you can then plant out in spring/ or when the ground unfreezes. Keep them in the greenhouse till then.  I tried this with a few last spring and they were fine.

Lily

[daisydoo]

Thanks for the advice. I've potted them up today and  will plant them out as weather & time allows.