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Just planted 150 cloves of garlic for next year's crop. Previously, I have just pushed the cloves into the soil, so the tops were about level with the soil surface. However I had read in various places that the cloves should be planted about 2 inches deep, so along I went with a dibber and made lots and lots of little holes ...  :)
Does planting at this depth produce a better crop of garlic?

I always plant mine deep, never actually heard ot it being planted like onions with the tops just showing through  :)

Isn't it early for planting garlic?

Is there a specified planting time? It is my opinion (perhaps wrong) that garlic can be grown all round the year, but benefits from an exposure to low temperatures eg frosts, in order to get the head to clove ...

I have clear land, and am trying to make good use of it over the winter. Over the next few weeks, I will also be planting my winter onion sets and my elephant garlic.

I think it may be advisable to get busy with your dibber again ;)

I believe that the optimum depth of garlic is measured similar to other bulbs - approx twice the length, so 1-2"? Deeper for elephant garlic. Putting them in so early and exposing the tips will a) leave them susceptible to rotting-off in rain now and b) give new growth little protection when the frosts hit. However, as they're now in I'm sure you'll not be inclined to get them out, but replanting deeper would be good.

Sorry - thought you'd planted as per previous years? Seems not... :-\

I planted mine like onions last year not having read up about them in advance so now I know to plant deeper. Still had a fabulous crop though: beginner's luck I suppose.

Just to make it clear, I have planted about 2 inches deep this time, so the cloves are well and truly buried. As for the timing of planting, most gardeners where I am seem to plant them during September, and seem to have done ok, perhaps that is just luck (or rotting is bad luck ...).

mine hasn't arrived yet but am sure it will soon and it will go in shortly after - I plant mine early because I like to harvest it early so the land can be used for something else straight away - always gagging for extra space come early early summer  :)

I always plant about twice their depth, and always go very well, considering.  Wish mine would hurry up and arrive as I like to get them in by October!  :-\

where have you got your garlic from. Please share

I got mine from marshall's this year but often try someone different each year - you can even buy good organic garlic from the greengrocer/supermarket and use that to plant

I bought my garlic as 'seed' garlic ie for planting, from our local garden supplies in the market. Sadly, the variety of garlic was not indicated, and the stall holder couldn't remember.

I dib a hole and drop them in. I've no idea how deep they go, but most of the bulbs are thoroughly buried the following year. It's certainly not critical.

Quote from: shirlton on September 09, 2006, 18:16:31
where have you got your garlic from. Please share

Shirl, The Garlic Farm, Isle of Wight - http://www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk - Early Wight, Purple Wight, Mediterranean Wight, Solent Wight......take your pick! They're from certified stock & come with full planting/care instructions. Family business, I believe?  Oh, and planting October-Feb.

Can't recommend highly enough (teehee Tim, I beat you to it ;D)

Lishka - I was busy filling my glass!

Quote from: tim on September 09, 2006, 19:02:08
Lishka - I was busy filling my glass!

8) ;D

Quote from: shirlton on September 09, 2006, 18:16:31
where have you got your garlic from. Please share

Seeds of Italy do a red garlic which I grew this year. I am so impressed with the large juicy and slightly sweet garlic that I'm definitely growing it again for next year. Top marks if you're looking for a roasting garlic but super for any recipe needing garlic.

http://www.seedsofitaly.com/catalogue/15

when you say 'red' garlic do you mean one of the french varieties (vitesse  :-\), quite early and has that lovely habit of the stems curling up and under themselves, if so it is a lovely variety

It's called "GARLIC ROSSA DI SALUGGIA", I think it's an Italian garlic but I could be wrong.

Quote from their website: UK only (not USA) - A wonderful red garlic from the Abruzzo region for planting from Oct - Apr and harvesting Jun - end Aug. Red garlic tends to be a little sweeter. The pack contains 3 bulbs and is nicely packaged with a large photo of this tasty garlic on the front. very limited stocks this year. pre-ordere now for October 2006

grazie  :)