Hi Sos ,I have some garlic ready for planting;can you please
advice me on where best place,when and how to plant them,I have searched but cannot find any planting info on here & I'm sure I remember reading a post by you before all about growing garlic.
Thankyou.

You may not have asked me in particular for my advice, but in moderate climates, anyway, garlic must be planted in the fall - early enough to set forth some roots, but not so early that it starts to send forth green shoots thru the soil. You ask people in your area when they plant theirs.

If you plant in the spring, the season may not be long enough to produce a nice big head of garlic that consists of several well-developed cloves. Instead, you may get a smallish, single bulb.

In that case, you leave those small garlics over the winter. Next spring they will further develop into the multi-clove heads like you want.

As usual, soil must be good, with adequate organic matter. Keep well weeded (this is esp. important for garlic, according to the experts) and use a natural, organic fertilizer a few times during the growing season.

So, if you wanted to plant that garlic now, you may not get proper, full heads until late summer of 2009. At that time, you dig it up when the tops are partially yellow & dry, not completely dry. (It's too late then and they will fall apart & dry out, and may not store well.) Then place them out of the sun & rain for a couple of weeks. Then trim and store in cool to moderate place, but not in the fridge, of course, which will change its qualities.

Hi Carla,
Thanks for the tips.I don't know any local garlic or veg growers for that matter but could always ask the farmer I buy from but have not been there for a few months...
I think I will plant some even though it may be a long wait.
Do you grow any vegetables?

Hello, Sunflower. I hope you'll plant some garlic this fall (2008). Believe me, what you get next year will be worth the wait, so long as you have good seed to start with and you care for your crop. You will never buy garlic again.

Nice of you to ask - yes, I have a veg. & flower garden. I grow the usual. I especially like chinese greens like Gai Lan (also spelled Kailan by some) and Russian Red Kale. It seems to be less attractive to insects than the Lacinato kale that is all the rage in some quarters. Also, I save what seed I can from year to year. Also, unlike many people, I do not buy already-growing storage or Spanish onion at the nursery. I start from seed. Also, I am starting a bit of broccoli & cauli in the house, like all nutty gardeners. Any other gardeners here?

How about you, what growing do you do? Be sure to reply. I love to hear about others' gardens!