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.
I stick with Solent Wight & Albegensian.
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.
(http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/gallery/6711_22_06_09_4_37_06.jpg)
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
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.
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.
Solent Wight is indeed a softneck.
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.
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
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.
Worth a read about varieties
http://www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com/overview.htm
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.