This year I decided to grow garlic using two methods instead of the three that I employed last year.
The garlic started in pots just didn't appreciate being transplanted. I've been thinking of why this method wasn't successful and I've come up with two possible reasons. Either the plants became root bound before planting out (they did have lots of root) or the change in conditions when planting out was just too much for them to cope with. Whatever the reason I decided not to use the transplanting method this year. (Any other suggestions let me know).
So how does my garlic grow?
In the greenhouse the Early Purple Wight (hardneck) was off to a good start with the first shoots appearing in late November. It is still growing well.
The Provence Wight (softneck) as expected was later, with shoots appearing in early January. They are now putting on more growth. The smaller plants on the left are Provence Wight
Finally that garlic pretender Elephant garlic. This again as expected has been the slowest of them all and is really just beginning to send up shoots.
Surprisingly on the plot the elephant garlic is further on than that in the greenhouse.
The opposite is true of the 'normal' garlic. The Early Purple Wight is growing well but behind that in the greenhouse and the Provence Wight is just getting going.
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Loads of lovely garlic! Very interesting to see how different the growth is between the varieties.
ReplyDeleteThe Purple Wight is supposed to be an early variety Belinds
DeleteI have followed you garlic articles closely. I have had the worst luck with garlic. I've planted in the spring and fall. In the greenhouse and out, to no avail. This is my last shot. I built new beds outdoors and planted both soft and hard necked garlic. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep my fingers crossed for you too Bonnie
DeleteIt's funny how the elephant garlic on the plot is further on. I don't grow garlic so I don't know, but perhaps it's enjoying the extra moisture.
ReplyDeleteIt must be Jo and I was more worried the cloves would rot!
DeleteGood to see your garlic is doing so well Sue :) I'm reading all garlic growing posts at the moment cos I've never really had much luck with them - until this year!
ReplyDeleteI finally have Garlic and (fingers crossed) no signs of rotting yet.
Definitely going to watch yours with interest Sue :)
Linda
So am I Linda :) Hope yours does well.
DeleteReading your post reminded me of the lovely garlic bread we had on our recent holiday.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I took you back there Roger.
DeleteI've decided not to grow garlic this year. It didn't do well for me last year, and with so much pressure on space I am dropping it in favour of other things. If I had more space (and a plot that was mostly in full sun) I definitely would grow garlic because we love it and use a lot of it in our cooking.
ReplyDeleteYou could just try a large pot of it another year Mark.
DeleteStrongly, obviously! I'm with Mark - it was a complete waste of space last year - and the year before. Will enjoy watching yours grow instead!
ReplyDeleteI had mixed results last year, Linda which is why I've not grown garlic in pots to transplant this year
DeleteInteresting Sue, I've never grown garlic. I might be tempted to try the elephant variety. Great to see how you've tried growing it :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering whether the elephant in the pot will grow Shirley.
DeleteHow interesting my father absolutely swears by the transplant method and he grows sensational garlic. I wonder why it works so well for him.
ReplyDeleteI don't know Liz. It could be that they became root bound and needed transplanting sooner but the weather was against that idea. Does your father garden on heavy clay like us and what sort of climate does he garden in?
DeleteI'm another without the space to grow enough garlic to make it worth while! Hope you get a great crop this year, it is certainly all looking good so far.
ReplyDeleteNot even a tub of it Janet?
DeleteNever planted garlic before! Good to learn from you on variety of garlic!
ReplyDeleteWE grew more varieties last year, Malar but the Early Purple Wight was the best producer.
DeleteIt all looks good Sue. I just plonked mine in the ground as usual , no covering either. Have to say I am pleased to report a 100% germination rate though. Just hope it swells out better than last year.
ReplyDeleteI was more concerned that the cloves would rot in our soggy wet soilTtanya but they seem to have survived 0 if I hadn't had a back up ni doubt they wouldn't have.
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