Allotments 4 All

being a beginner to all this allotment related im very proud to say that my recently aquired allotment is nearly fully cleared ( a lot of work digging over 160m2!) and this are actually starting to grow at last.
BUT..............ive hit my first potential disaster.  :-\ the garlic i carefully planted in october is starting to develop yellowy leaves, does any one know if i shouls be worried or just shut up and stop moaning??
i feel like a first time parent, i swear this is emotionally draining. My first crop and im coming across problems.

While im here i thought id share a handy parsnip planting hint i learnt from one of the old boys.
Dig a small hole and drop a toilet roll it to it, bury it to ground level and fill with compost, plant 3 seeds into the tube. Apparently it really gets them off to a good start???? we shall see.

Garlic cloves should be planted in March and harvested when the the leaves turn yellow in July /August. One would assume that since you planted in October  ???
the yellowing of the leaves indicate that the Garlic is ready for harvesting , pull one and see ;)

Quote from: hanraaa on March 15, 2005, 10:12:03

Dig a small hole and drop a toilet roll it to it,

Well, its a bit of an expensive method, but it will keep the parsnips nice and cosy ;D

There are 2 sorts of garlic, re planting - autumn and spring. Some varieties can be planted in either autumn or spring, and others are season specific. The garlic planted October (in autumn) should be ready a month or so before spring planted garlic is ready. Garlic can be planted as late as May though obviously you probably won't get as big a bulb. Also, you can harvest the garlic before the leaves yellow in summer to use fresh.
Last year's garlic turned yellow, but I don't think it is really anything to worry about - perhaps a nitrogen deficiency? Topic was also discussed briefly here: http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/yabbse/index.php/topic,7619.0.html

I also planted my garlic in October - best way to get big cloves I reckon.

And yes, my garlic's outer leaves are also turning yellow. Probably just recent frost or the plants natural habit. They did the same last year and the cloves were really good. So chill out - they'll be fine...(probably!) - and if they're not you'll have lots of other successes anyway.

BTW I read somewhere that garlic doesn't like a lot of nitrogen so I'd hesitate before using a feed... 

QuoteWeek 13. Rake/fork in a top dressing of nitro chalk at 60gms/sq metre (2oz/sq yd)

This is from http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/.  I'm sure I've read it in one of my books as well, but I'm at work, so don't have access to them at the moment...

don't know about the feeding but my autumn planted garlic's leaves have started to turn yellow but this happened straight after a hard frost so I'm sure that's why and as garlic needs frost to separate the bulb into cloves I'm sure that all's well.......so, one less thing to worry about for now!!
Plottie :)

Mine have gone yellow too after the frosts so I'm glad everyone else's have too, you have all made me feel better!

Quotethat's why and as garlic needs frost to separate the bulb into cloves I'm sure that all's well.......

I have some elephant garlic to go in a pot & I wasn't worried until you said that. What if we don't get another hard frost, or what if it comes at the wrong time!? ???
Will I get just one big garlic clove?  ???

My hephalump garlic planted winter 2003 was 50/50.  Some bulbed up nicely, others stayed whole and were like great big garlic scented onions but without the layers, just lots of flesh, and they had plenty of cold weather.  If you are worried, bung them in the fridge until you are ready to plant, at least then they will have a cold spell! (But don't use them when cooking!!!)

As I mentioned on the other thread, mine usually yellow too.

As to fertiliser, if you go by The Garlic Farm's recommendation, it's lots of Potash that you need!

Agree with Tim re potash. I put some around all my garlic at the weekend.

The first year I grew garlic, planted it in March as soon as I had the allotment, it died off in the summer all the leaves disappeared. I thought I must have killed it off with too much kindness ( well actually water) however in the late Autumn it started growing again and I dug up some lovely garlic the following summer. So don't despair it  will be fine.

It is my understanding that elephant garlic is not a true garlic but is really a leek.  But I have heard that garlic needs a frost to split as well.  I got mine in mid to late february (french purple variety) and I am still worried it did not get cold enough.

I put some in Autumn last year and also some a week ago . Didnt realise there were two different types thanks for the info...................

To go a bit further, Chris, check http://www.garlicworld.co.uk/

Quote from: tulippa on March 15, 2005, 12:08:59
Mine have gone yellow too after the frosts so I'm glad everyone else's have too, you have all made me feel better!

Likewise. Mine too. Piccy here
http://www.moonbells.freeserve.co.uk/allotment/2005/March_05/130305_6.jpg
bit poor resolution but it was at the back of the actual subject of the photo!

I just figured it was the weather, and the bulbs will grow away now it's warming up.

moonbells

Quote from: hanraaa on March 15, 2005, 10:12:03

Dig a small hole and drop a toilet roll it to it,

Well, its a bit of an expensive method, but it will keep the parsnips nice and cosy ;D

Quote

I wonder if they mean the cardboard tube rather than the whole roll?

I start mine off in the cardboard tubes in the cold greenhouse,  but the germination rate is very low!??

I had a good look at my garlic today and the tips are yellow, so I guess like every  one else is saying possibly due to recent frosts. They still look healthy otherwise.
:D ;D :-* :)

Quote from: Clayhithe on March 16, 2005, 15:51:18

Quote from: hanraaa on March 15, 2005, 10:12:03

Dig a small hole and drop a toilet roll it to it,

Well, its a bit of an expensive method, but it will keep the parsnips nice and cosy ;D

I wonder if they mean the cardboard tube rather than the whole roll?

I start mine off in the cardboard tubes in the cold greenhouse,  but the germination rate is very low!??

I think they do mean the middles! I've got 19 of them now with seedlings in  - I sowed 3 seed per roll and kept them inside until I saw the little hoops appear :)  I bunged each one that germinated straight in the cold frame and left the others inside the house. So far, so good. 
http://www.moonbells.freeserve.co.uk/allotment/2005/March_05/march_05.html#Latest
Need to harden off the currently growing ones this week and get them planted over Easter, rolls and all.

moonbells, who really must have a good hunt to see how to put images on these pages!

Moonbells,

Embarrassing question:  how do you stop the compost falling out of the tube when you pick it up?

Quote from: Clayhithe on March 17, 2005, 10:47:04
Moonbells,

Embarrassing question: how do you stop the compost falling out of the tube when you pick it up?

I tip the roll over sideways carefully and pick it up horizontally.  And hope!

ok, test:




heh :) it works!
moonbells