[juvenal]

The latest Monty Don gardening programme showed him planting garlic, and telling us September is the time.

But talking to an experienced local nurseryman today he said his Isle of Wight (the garlic Mecca) garlic suppliers don't plant until early November...

Who's right?

[DHM]

I planted a row last weekend, I'm going to plant 2 rows in mid december and 1 in Feb ground permitting. I think the idea of planting now is to have a crop ready a month early (June?). Later plantings (Nov - Feb) will give a later crop to enable storage times to be extended. November is kind of the mid point of the planting season, but check the cultivar as some suit autumn planting more than others. As long as they get a good frost to split the bulb into cloves, I would think any time between now and Feb would be fine to plant.

[Plot 1 Problems]

I've done mine in both October and November and had the same results. I may well do mine in September this year as the soil is workable and I've got the time to do it.

[mumofstig]

I did think September was a bit too early when I watched the programme, end of October early November is when mine go in  but tbh I've planted the Autumn sown ones as late as December and not noticed any difference in yield. I think it's just a case of plant before the colder part of Winter, so they can get some roots down.

[AnneB]

Usually do mine some time in October.  Seems to work well.

[Veg Plot 1B]

Not had mine delivered yet so suspect it will be October.

[Christine]

I'm an October person myself as that's when the space becomes available.

[AnneB]

Mine have just arrived.  This year's varieties are Red Duke, Provence Wight, Caulk Wight and a new one for me, Mersley Wight.  I chose all as autumn planting, but when I look at the blurb for Mersley Wight there seems to be a difference of opinion.   The Garlic Farm and a few others say Mersley should be planted November - March (November in warmer areas) whereas other suppliers, including King's where I got them from, say September - November.   How confusing.   I have decided they are going to get the October treatment and go in at the same time as the others!

[DHM]

Never heard of that mersley wight that you mention but having done some research, Im sold. Anyone else grown this before?

[Gardener and Rabbit]

I plant mine early November, so that the plants are smaller and suffer less leaf damage when we get winter gales. Seems to work ok.