Allotments 4 All

Should I have started my garlic by now, and can anybody suggest some good growing varieties for our climes? :-\

I planted my garlic in October, I presume it would be ok if planted now since it is tough stuff generally. Perhaps the best might to plant it in seed trays in a greenhouse to get a root system developed, then plant out later on.

I cannot advise on varieties unfortunately.

Ta for that anyway Derek :)

Plant it now. There's nothing to be gained by growing it in an artificially warm environment; it needs cold to initiate the splitting process in the bulb, and it'll form perfectly good bulbs as long as it's in before the warm weather arrives.

So I'm okay for the next week or two -  thanks. Varieties anyone? :)

I have been growing Solent Wight for the past year or so and have found it suits my needs and garden - so far.  It can be planted now and until late Feb possibly early March and you'll still get a reasonable crop that keeps for ages.  I usually have the ground ready prepared by now and plant as soon as possible from the start of Jan provided the weather isn't too cold or wet.  Harvest is usually late July - early August.  Feed and water well.

And were do you source it clodhopper? :)

GARDEN CENTRES.

Quote from: Badger1 on December 26, 2005, 21:51:28
And were do you source it clodhopper? :)

I got mine from Dobies @ £2.95 including carriage per pair of bulbs.  They were ordered on-line and delivered within a few days and look every bit as good as others of the same variety I bought for a lot more money in previous years.

Try http://www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk/ . Delivery is very prompt, and while they're not cheap, the quality is excellent; I've had some really massive bulbs from them. Local garden centres sell rubbish garlic; you may be luckier but I wouldn't use them again.

I got mine from The Garlic Farm last year and were very satisfied with the results but from outward appearance these from Dobies look as though they may have been similarly sourced.  I'll know more when I buy my bulbs for 2007.......... ;)

I fully agree with you about the rubbish [not only garlic of course] all too often on sale at Garden Centres which is why I seldom bother with them unless given vouchers as a present and then I'm very selective.

We got our allotment last February and I only started planting garlic in March. Our neighbour at the allotment shook his head and said we were far too late for garlic: that it should be in by November at the latest. Nevertheless we had a pretty good crop if a bit smaller than I'd hoped.

This time I planted in October and the plants are making good headway so far. I planted Thermidrome and Marco (I think). Have to go and check the labels.

@clodhopper,
what dou you mean by "it keeps for ages"? how long is this? my garlic (autumn planted) and harvested in july and then stored in the shed usually starts to sprout by christmas. if yours keeps longer- maybe it´s the variety.

General? - as Robert says - his link.

Keeping? Almost the year round.

Or 'search' back.

Quote from: blight on December 27, 2005, 18:41:47
@clodhopper,
what dou you mean by "it keeps for ages"? how long is this? my garlic (autumn planted) and harvested in july and then stored in the shed usually starts to sprout by christmas. if yours keeps longer- maybe it´s the variety.

Not wishing to be mistaken for an expert on garlic  ::)  I sometimes read the bumf that comes with plants/seeds and incorporate anything that I can manage or believe....... ???

The Garlic Farm includes quite a useful leaflet that gives recommended guides for the various planting, lifting and storage sequences.  Although all garlic seems to be better for autumn planting, Solent Wight gives just as good results if planted in Jan/Feb when there is still time for them to get chilled.  Although the bulbs may be slightly smaller than when autumn sown, the flavour is every bit as good and usually store until March when some are starting to sprout.  As long as they haven't gone too soft, a bit of green is a bonus......... :D  We have actually used them into April if kept cool, not too cold and definitely not warm, whereas many others are done by New Year.....  :o 

Be interested to hear of the storage qualities of other varities from other folks.  I think it was Thermidrome [?] I also found to be a reasonable keeper.

There seems to be a lot to recommend getting garlic from the Garlic Farm judging by these comments, if I were to order some now, do you think I would get them in time for February planting?

You should do Derek as they were very prompt when I last used them but it was for an October order on-line.  It will no doubt subject to their stock situation but I believe they are big growers.  You could always send them an e-mail to ask rather than taking a chance.

You will get 5 bulbs if IRC which was too much garlic for us modest users, so I planted the biggest cloves and ate the left overs......... ;D

I'm sure you would; I ordered some a week before Christmas, on the Friday night, and got them on the Tuesday. That's what I call good service.

clodders - next time, plant the small ones close together & use as 'green'.

Quote from: tim on December 27, 2005, 20:57:29
clodders - next time, plant the small ones close together & use as 'green'.

Hi Tim - good advice.  I already do that with my left over onions grown from seed in plugs.  Bung 'em in close and use them in salads, omelettes, casseroles etc.  Might knock the social life if we aren't careful and over do it ..... :-[