Growing garlic

It's the longest day today - traditionally the day to plant garlic bulbs, I believe.

I already attempted this in a hanging basket last year, but they died, then resprouted, then died again (I forgot to pick them twice ).

I've just dug them all out to plant fresh ones, but two acorn trees have started growing in my hanging basket! Plus I found a conker! I think a squirrel has been visiting.

My questions are

1. is it safe to plant garlic I intend to eat in the same soil the acorns and conker have been?

2. Are the previous bulbs worth replanting, or do you just get one shot? Photo attatched to see the state they're in.

 

It's the day to harvest NOT plant garlic today.

 

:D I'm only 6 months out!

Ok, well you've seen my harvest (the bulbs that died, came back and died again). Would they be safe to eat in light of the 2 acorns growing with them?

 

Yep, no problem there

 

I've read that if you replant your own they adapt, over several seasons, to your local conditions, so definitely worthwhile.

With that in mind I would START with some really good ones (and then you'll have garlic suitable for the UK, which may not be the case if you plant some garlic from the veg. counter at your local supermarket - you'll only need a couple of bulbs I expect - they'll have anything up to 20 cloves each. They need to be in the ground before the cold comes, because it is the cold that makes them "divide" into cloves.

But, yeah, you've started a bit early!

Also, not sure about trying to grow them in a hanging basket ??

 

The hanging basket was an attempt to try and stop the squirrels from interfering. I realise now with the buried acorns and conkers this clearly hasn't worked! I need to rethink my strategy.....

 

Blinking heck, Squirrels round here are much less Cordon Bleu and don't nick my garlic to scoff with their acorns and conkers!

 

Yes, a bit early. I normally try to plant out around mid October. Mine are at the 'scape' stage at the moment. Scapes are the flower heads that form, a bit like bolting with Onions. These are quite useful as they can be eaten raw or gently cooked. Oh yes, and quite mild too

Cheers...Freddy.

 

I wish I could harvest my garlic ! I planted my bulbs way back and although they have pretty tall stalks, there are no sign of flowers. I even took one up yesterday as curiosity was getting the better of me, and both me and my wife thought it was a large spring onion ! I have no doubt I planted garlic as I still have a few of the bulbs left from planting. Should I be expecting flowers any time soon ?
gazania

 

You will see the "scapes" first it comes up all twisty ,they are an expensive delicacy pick as you need it will not interfere with the garlic,don`t leave them they are gorgeous, when you see the leaves starting to die back I always expect them late July at the earliest.lift them and "God Willing" we will get some dry weather to lay them out to dry .

 

Cool, I'm hoping for some home grown garlic next month then, thanks.
gazania

 

Hi there.

When did you plant them?

 

Hi Freddy, now it must have been feb/march. I can't remember exactly though.
gazania

 

Hi there Gazania.

The common consensus is that for best results, Garlic should be planted late in the season, maybe October time. Apparently, the cold weather(winter) encourages the bulbs to split. I doubt if yours will separate now. They are however still useable