Garlic

[Roy Bham UK]

This is probably my first attempt on this Edible Plants section and me being as green as grass so here goes. :)
My wife just bought this garlic bulb to me from the cupboard, I was wondering if I could plonk it straight into my freshly dug 2 year old manureless lottie or do I start it off in a pot, or just eat it ;D ???

[Roy Bham UK]

[tim]

Looks great!! But - I would pot it up, harden it off & then put it out where you choose. There's no telling what sort it is & you'll have to play it by ear - judging by the time it matures what sort it might be. = Tim

[Roy Bham UK]

Thanks Tim, how long should I leave it in the pot or at what height and finally can these be planted out throughout the year as I know some of you are planting out B4 Christmas?

The garlic was off the shelf from Asda so no clues there, how do you buy garlic for growing, by seed or bulb? Questions? Questions? Questions? :D

[reedos]

The books tell you to buy virus free bulbs from a respectable source. I recklessly get mine from Asda and have never had any problems.
I'd do exactly what Tim says, pot up the individual cloves and then if you've a cold greenhouse or cold frame put it in that for a while to harden it off. I plant mine out in Autumn and harvest it from midsummer onwards.

Good luck

[Belinda]

Take a look at www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk they do a good first-timer's selection box that comes with full instructions.

B

[tim]

1. I only guess about potting up. The bulb may have been in cold storage for some time, then on a market shelf, then in your cupboard -so see if it roots &, if so, harden off for a week & plant. 2" deep.

2. Garlic Farm - I use them.

3. Or try Garlicworld. Multiveg recommends.

4. Buying from market, there's no telling about the variety or its health, & the last thing you want is to introduce white rot or similar. = Tim

PS When I say 'it - I mean, of course, the iindividual cloves - then 6" apart.

[muckspreader]

To be safe i would eat it and buy some virus free garlic from a reputable firm, Tim as suggested that it may have a virus called white rot and if you get in the soil  you cannot sow any onion family for at least 7 yrs or more, besides the reason for sowing in late autumn is to get a good root system going before there is any top growth but with yours there is no roots so all the top growth is feeding off the cloves  taking all the goodness out of them
       Allan

[Roy Bham UK]

Thanks for the input Guys, I've decided to take your advice and eat it and make good use of the sites provided, Cheers Roy ;)

[philcooper]

Roy,

You mentioned, in starting off the thread, that your plot was "manureless" - while you're waiting to buy some virus free stock (a good plan!) I would work some FYM or compost into the ground - like all the onion family, they do like a good feed - if you can't mange that (or even if you can) a spray of liquid seaweed or 2 during the growing season works wonders

Phil

[Roy Bham UK]

Thanks Phil, I'm in the process of seeking a local farmer to supply manure which raises another question, how much do I order for one plot and any idea of the going rate of farm manure these days? :D ???

[muckspreader]

Hi Roy i have just ordered a load which is about 14 tonne and it costs £20 , it depends on weather you are going to double dig or not ,where you tend to use a lot more,or just scatter it over the top and dig it in, I would order a load, use it up and then order another load if required and use it through the summer for mulches etc, You can allways store the rest until next autumn if you have got the room but make sure it is covered up, you can never have enough of a good thing

[sandersj89]

Hi Roy i have just ordered a load which is about 14 tonne and it costs £20

Where are you????

14 tonne for £20 is a huge amount!!!! You could make  a massive profit here in the south east where manure runs at about £10 per tonne!

Jerry

[muckspreader]

derbyshire

[Roy Bham UK]

Geesh! that sounds enough for a whole lottie, what quantities do others use and at what cost? :-\

[tim]

 For horse, I have to pay £10 for about 5'x3'x1', delivered,

Or £2.50 a sack from Countrywide. = Tim

[cleo]

14 tons-best of luck. I had 10 ton delivered last Feb and believe me it takes a lot of barrowing :)

Stephan

[Lady Cosmos]

I get delivered a whole mountain of gold twice a year FOR FREE!!!
No idea how many tonnes it is. They are glad I will have it.
It is a nice horse manure, I am very happy with it. :D :D :D

[Bannerdown]

I second the comment about the garlicfarm.whatever.  My garlic has been in since October and is now about 2 - 8 inches high depending on type.  If the garlic doesn't get a cold spell it doesn't form individual cloves, but as they are a pain to peel when small I thought a single clove the size of a full head would be an improvement!  It seems that Elephant garlic is not a true garlic but a modified (not as in GM I hope) Leek!  Cheers, Tony.