winter garlic

I planted my garlic in the winter, how do I go about harvesting it, is it time yet?

 

Not yet its August

 

Garlic is harvested when the foliage goes brown. Mine will probably start to do this next month.

 

Hi folks. Just wanted to say, don't forget about the 'scrapes'. These are the seed-heads that sprout up, much like bolting onions. Cut them off as low as you can, and use them as you wish, either cooked or raw, as I did for the first time yesterday in a salad. They have a generally mild taste although do have a little kick, much the same as a spring onion. Rather nice, IMO, and too good to waste.
Cheers...freddy.

 

Hi Freddy I wish we had known that a few days ago because we have gone and broken off the 'scrapes'? and chucked in the compost bin.:dh:This is the first time we have grown garlic so when we saw the flower heads we snapped them off,not realising you can eat them:( Oh well,it has been a learning curve and we have enjoyed growing them.Just have to get the timing right as to when we have to harvest them:D

 

Hi Kandy. I had a feeling some may have already chopped them off, sorry I didn't mention it sooner. Bear in mind, if there's any of the seed-head still there, you can use it. Also, you may well get more seed-heads over the coming week/s. BTW, it's my first year too. Hopefully there will be some nice fat juicy cloves...yummy
Cheers...freddy.

 

Hi Freddy,when me and Mr Kandy went over to the allotments this morning I said to him to scrape away the soil round the base of one of the bulbs to see what it looks like,which he did and the bulb was quiet large but Mr Kandy reckons they still have a bit more growing to do.The leaves on each one are still greenish with just the top parts going a bit brown,but we are not sure if that is natural or not.

We have only had two 'scrapes' up to yet and wasn't sure if we have to eat those ones first like we would have to do with any onions that start to produce flower heads.

We were checking our onions this morning and they don't seem to be growing very large.The Red Baron ones are smaller than the Sturon ones we planted.We have been feeding them with chicken pellets and so far have four of the Red Baron ones that have got the flower spikes on so I quickly took them off.:D

I think it is going to be a strange year all round for vegetables and I also noticed this morning that our Suttons Foremost early spuds have the dreaded blight splodges on them,despite us buying fresh seed potatoes this year the same as other years.:(

 

Kandyfloss, your onions will do their growing after the longest day - that's when they put a spurt on when the days start to shorten so be patient a little longer. If you have lots you can start eating them any time you like. I pick the red onions small and use them in salads for spring onions, including the green parts.

Your garlic will grow a good bit yet. It's ready when the leaves turn brown but if you're impatient you can lift one or two to use now.