I planted garlic (from my last year's crop) back in November but it's not looking happy (seems to be raised out of the ground, probably due to the wet weather, and some hasn't come up), so I'm thinking of getting some more as a back-up. Is it too late, and if not, which variety would you recommend for planting now, or in fact in two weeks time as I'm away next weekend?
Don't worry about some sticking out of ground...that's fine. And as some not come up yet...most of mine haven't come up neither..not yet. Given time they will, there is no hurry yet..its been cold and soil being wet it is slow to warm up.
I've got one variety that is showing couple of inches growth and every single clove planted has sprouted..but other varieties are only showing odd few little shoots, just above the soil level and most not visible at all.
If you plant some garlic now..with hardnecks you are quite likely to end up with just one single onion shape clove rather than bulb with cloves..hardnecks will need period of winter cold to get the bulb to divide. So with those you are going to be too late..any growth they make is useable and if you desire larger bulbs..you can re-plant the cloves again next autumn to grow proper bulbs for next year.
Softneck garlics have chance to make something yet...they usually take longer in summer to complete they growth and may make half decent size bulbs yet...but you do need to be quick with planting..sooner they are in the better. If you are going to plant more, and providing you have options what is still available..look for variety that is said to be latest variety for lifting.