Last year I planted my garlic in November and had a brilliant crop. I meant to plant mine this year in Nov again, but went away in the middle of the month. Before I left it was so mild and so wet I decided early Dec, when I got back, should be ok. But now we've got this cold weather will it be too late once the snow thaws? BTW, I'm in Devon and we've only got a bit of snow, nothing like the rest of you have in the north.
thanks
Anthea
No it's not too late..if you can find the ground and even work at it..go ahead..You lucky one ::)
Being a bit late because of the terribly wet autumn we had, I only just started planting it last week!!! I will keep planting through December into January. It doesn't seem to mind the cold one bit. Last year I planted in january, real brass monkey weather and I had very good bulbs at harvest.
Some plant on the shortest day, to harvest on the longest day. Just ensure the area you've got planned is not likely to get waterlogged, as this is the biggest rotter of garlic bulbs.
Quote from: Sally A on December 03, 2010, 17:34:38
Some plant on the shortest day, to harvest on the longest day. Just ensure the area you've got planned is not likely to get waterlogged, as this is the biggest rotter of garlic bulbs.
Sally, I think you are confusing it with Shallots, they are traditionally planted on the shortest day and harvested on the longest. Garlic, ideally, should be planted September/October time, but a decent crop could be achieved if planted now. :)
Thanks for these encouraging replies. It looks as though the snow will be gone in the next day or so and I'll get those cloves in as soon as I can.
Many thanks
Anthea
No I've heard the shortest day-longest day thing for garlic too. In fact I always thought of shallots as Feb time planting. Though I now know there are over-wintering types, and this year I've got some in.
Wonder if they'll cope with the snow? :-\
So yes - good luck with the garlic, anthea.
Quote from: pigeonseed on December 03, 2010, 20:57:43
No I've heard the shortest day-longest day thing for garlic too. In fact I always thought of shallots as Feb time planting. Though I now know there are over-wintering types, and this year I've got some in.
Wonder if they'll cope with the snow? :-\
So yes - good luck with the garlic, anthea.
Nope, you are wrong. ;D
It's never too late.... but sometimes it's too early... :-X
Well Dai, I ain't gonna get in an argy bargy with you...mine went in October time, whereabouts in South Wales are you, as we must be on a similar planting schedule, albeit Cardiff always seems to be about 2 degrees centigrade above here in Bath.
Croseso.
xxx
Well i have to say , i did not get around to planting mine untill Feb, :o :o ::)
I just left them in longer than usual they were fine not as big as normal but a good size. They will be going in next week so i am not at all worried after the late planting last time.
Good luck with yours Anthea it should not be a problem love.
I haven't ordered mine yet cos I didn't want it too early! I'm going to plant Solent Wight and although you can plant it in the autumn and late spring too it's best planted in January so that's my plan.
It's one of the besk keeping varieties and keeps right through to April (althought it will all be eaten by then ;D). But I'm hoping to store the best bulbs to plant next year ;)
ive just manured my patch with well rotted is it ok to plant garlic
Quote from: pigeonseed on December 03, 2010, 20:57:43
No I've heard the shortest day-longest day thing for garlic too. In fact I always thought of shallots as Feb time planting. Though I now know there are over-wintering types, and this year I've got some in.
Wonder if they'll cope with the snow? :-\
So yes - good luck with the garlic, anthea.
Actually when I did my garlic trials - the 21st December came out the best growth over the 6 month period so I totally agree with you.
Nobody can be wrong about gardening....you put it in, it grows - how is that wrong?
I've not planted my garlic yet and never planted it this late so good to hear from others. I'm hoping to get some in at the weekend, weather permitting ;D
Mine ain't in yet either, everything is frozen. When I do plant, they will go into pots in the cold greenhouse until they sprout and then into their final resting place in the veg plot. ;D
nor mine and haven't even bought it yet - unusual for me as it normally gets planted in early autumn so it will be interesting to see how well it does - as long as it gets a cold snap am sure will be fine
Quote from: Sally A on December 04, 2010, 18:13:23
Well Dai, I ain't gonna get in an argy bargy with you...mine went in October time, whereabouts in South Wales are you, as we must be on a similar planting schedule, albeit Cardiff always seems to be about 2 degrees centigrade above here in Bath.
Croseso.
xxx
Sorry Sally didn`t see your post. I`m in Cwmbran. I too planted garlic for a client in October.
Don't take my word - listen to the biggest grower.
"Isle of Wight Garlic is planted from October to February and the first garlic shoots mark the rows from January onwards. Garlic requires a spell of cold weather, generally 1-2 weeks at 0-4C, to prepare itself physiologically for bulb formation later in the year.
Garlic is a 52 week crop. It needs a very long growing season.
Not quite sure what you mean daitheplant? I find when I plant my garlic in November this gives me a harvested crop in July. For a 52 week crop, are you saying October planted garlic will not be ready until the following October?
And a February planting crops in August
Storage? Longer than that, Lois - well into July this year.
Traditionally garlic is plant September for harvest next August.
Dai - remember that new strains have been introduced since tradition was established.
I have ended up planting five differant varieties and the last time I was at the lotty all was well, just a point of interest on what you buy garlic wise from the shops , on Leicester market last week which is a big fruit and veg market I asked what variety the garlic was on half a dozen stalls and it was all Chinese garlic, :)
Quote from: daitheplant on December 09, 2010, 21:24:13
Garlic is a 52 week crop. It needs a very long growing season.
I grew garlic for many years when in full time service and we never planted until the soil started to warm late Feb and we had a good crop so 52 weeks are not essential.
harvest in july replant in july it needs 52 weeks of growth for big bulbs
Plant now and it'll be fine.
Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on December 27, 2010, 23:05:20
Plant now and it'll be fine.
I fully agree there are no SET rules in gardening we all have our own ways that work in our gardens.
I wasn't able to put it in at the normal time die to illness. I've got some softnecks in pots, and if they've survived the freeze I'll see if they do any better than garlic planted now.
i never got round to planting mine but now the ground is better i will be planting my garlic this week.
Well you can't really go by seasons anymore as the weather is so allover the place :-\