Garlic Query

Hi there -

Novice gardener's first post. I planted garlic last month and it is now about three inches in height. Should I cut them back for the winter? Also, do they need protecting from the frost?

Many thanks

Steve

 

Thanks John -

I'm in the West Midlands. The variety I planted was 'Germidour,' so unsure if I can plant some more of this variety out in Spring.

Someone had told me to cut them back as flowering takes energy away from bulb production.

Can onions be treated in a similar fashion?

Steve

 

My garlic is up about the same. I cannot ever remember getting any bolters but I grow soft neck garlic. You can get varieties of onion that overwinter. They are either sown as seed in late summer or you can get onion sets that you plant in October. i have some of those growing at present and they are all quite hardy but you have to grow the special varieties. It is more likely to be the wet, if you have poorly drained soil , that sees off onions and garlic than the cold. Autumn planted onion sets mature several weeks earlier than the spring planted ones but don't keep as well.Their main value is to get some early onions after the previous year's crop have been used up.

 

Welcome to the forum SAplin.
Garlic is quite hardy and should be fine overwinter. I grow mine in Perthshire no problem. Do not cut it back.
Your garlic will not flower until about June next year. When you see the stalks (garlic scapes) coming up then cut them off and eat them. They are mildly garlic flavoured and great where a delicate garlic flavour is required. Expensive restaurants charge handsomely for anything cooked with garlic scapes.
Your garlic will be ready for lifting about July when you see the leaves dying down.
Good luck.