Even more questions about garlic!

[PlymouthMaid]

Looking at the T&M site and planning my autumn planting... can anybody recommend a particular garlic and what is the difference or pros and cons of soft neck v hard neck?  If it is relevant - am in Devon, soil is heavy and a bit stony. Thanks for any advice.

[PlymouthMaid]

[tim]

I stick with Solent Wight & Albegensian.

[Plot69]

I pulled these today. Germidour, planted in October from saved cloves. They had a good hard winter which helps. Hope the other 95 are as good.

[BarriedaleNick]

I went with Marco this year and they have done well.  Maybe not quite as well as Plot69 though ;)

Edit - I have clay you can make pots out of on my plot and havent done so well in the past.  This year I dug a bag or two of sand in to lighten the soil and it seems to have been good for them but as has been pointed out we had a good cold winter.  I always plant Autumn garlic

[Robert_Brenchley]

There are five types of garlic, a lot of varieties are duplicates, and the taste changes from one garden to another. You need to experiment to find garlics which suit you. I currently grow Purple Wight, Albigensian Wight and Solent Wight, but these are trade names, and it's a bit frustrating not knowing what they really are. I may well experiment further.

[Kea]

I'm on heavy clay (alkaline) and I'm about to harvest my Albigensian Wight and they look like Plot 69's. Last year I grew 3 different types these ones, marco and solent wight. i choose the one which grew the best. Soft necks keep better. Alb wight is a soft neck and I think solent wight is...it certainly keeps well i still have bulbs of that from last year!!!! Marco sprouted again quite quickly and it is a hardneck, it also flowered...though i discovered after throwing the flower buds away that they can be eaten.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Solent Wight is indeed a softneck.

[Deb P]

Another vote for Marco here, I saved the best cloves from bought stock last year and had a great crop with very little rust this year. Planning on doing the same routine this year! ;D Tried Iberian and Solent Wight, no where near as good for me, on clay soil.

[beckydore]

I left in my garlic last year as I wasn't sure when to pick it.
Should it be ready now. It looks like it is about to flower.
Becky

[The Amateurs]

In addition to the varieties mentioned above give the 'Giant' garlic a go the taste is fab and they're worth considering for something a bit different.

[redimp]

Worth a read about varieties
http://www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com/overview.htm

[PlymouthMaid]

Thanks to all who offered advice and links to interesting articles. Decided to order the garlic Lovers Collection from Dobies which has 4 types so I can try and see which ones suit my ground best.