Garlic Harvest

Way back in the spring I enquired about growing garlic, and got mixed responses.

I had been told by a couple of people that the cloves should be peeled before planting, yet others told me I should not.

The reason for this post is to let you know i tried both.

The cloves that were peeled prior to planting have produced superior results with good sized crop bulbs, where as the the unpeeled cloves have hardly any bulb growth and are soft to the touch.

I guess the only way we can learn these things is to try ! Just thought I would share this bit of info with you all.

C U Later !

 

Thanks for the tip. I never peeled the cloves before I planted and I got a dissapointing crop. Going to try again this year.

 

Thanks for the tip oktarine. I planted some this year (first-ever try) and since I didn't know any better, I left the skin on. I don't think mine are much though as they got water-logged. After I've checked I'll let you know. I wonder if it is too late to try again this year?

 

Oh dear! I planted mine without peeling.... Ive done this before and had a crop but could have been better. Next good planting date is autumn, isn't it?

 

That's really handy to know, I tried a couple of times in Australia with no luck - unpeeled.

Do you think I could try in a pot outdoors?

TO

 

Have you all been planting them indoors? I had mine outside and that's how they got waterlogged.

 

No, I just meant I don't have the garden space so wondered if garlic would work in a pot.

Much as I love it I'm not ready to share my house with it yet!

TO :D

 

Same rules apply if planting in a pot - ensuring good drainage.

Liz, I plan to sow another crop about end of November. I understand the frost is good for the bulbs formation.

 

Left mine unpeeled, havent checked to see how they are yet. When is the best time to plant again please.

 

How do you know when the garlic is ready? To harvest
Planted mine about end of April and its got very long stalks on it but not sure when its ready

 

I think it`s July-Aug roxy-when the foiliage turns yellow.BUT wait till someone else verifies.I get stuff wrong. :rolleyes:

 

Thankyou,
will wait a bit longer been told october time when it should be ready.
Didn�t realize it took so long, so if I did some more now it would be ready by about June next year ???

 

Roxy,
Planted mine in April and pulled them up when leaves started to yellow.

Have been eating them / giving them away, for about 3 weeks now!

Next planting will be November.

 

I read somewhere on the garlic farm site that the best time to plant was mid September. After that the crop would be reduced.
See this link.
http://www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk/

 

Geoff,

I always plant garlic twice a year, once in november and again in early spring.

I always get a good crop from both plantings.

The benefit of the frost in the winter is it helps the garlic to produce more cloves per bulb, but good watering and drainage also has the same effect.

I always maintain its best to try things for yourself , as well as reading up on "best practices" .

Thats the fun of gardening in my book.