[Steve.B]

Hi, Just thinking can I plant last years Garlic as you would from seed saved from a plant the year before?
The Garlic is from Solent Wight cloves last year. I have loads so won't be missed, and saves money.
Or should I buy the same again?

[DavidT]

As long as the cloves are firm and healthy I don`t see a problem. If you don`t try you`ll never know.

[Steve.B]

Thanks. I know not to buy from the super market but I thought this would be ok.

[boybeck]

I have two garlic bulbs to plant.  Is it best to pop them in a seed tray to get them started or do they go straight in the ground?

[DD.]

At this time of year, they don't need a head start. Split the bulbs up and plant the cloves individually.

[Comfortably Numb]

At this time of year, they don't need a head start. Split the bulbs up and plant the cloves individually.

Is there any advantage in covering garlic with fleece through the winter, or is it un-neccessary? I'm thinking more of protection from birds really.

[DD.]

It is not necessary to fleece them, they won't suffer from birds unlike onion sets, as they are planted below the surface.

Garlic needs a period of cold in order to "clove" (divide), so from that point of view it's unwise to molly-coddle them.

[Sadgit]

I have just bought 2KG of Porcelain garlic and the plan is to next year eat half and then plant half and hopefully repeat for several years. Total outlay £30 for years of garlic.... well that is the plan

[Comfortably Numb]

It is not necessary to fleece them, they won't suffer from birds unlike onion sets, as they are planted below the surface.

Garlic needs a period of cold in order to "clove" (divide), so from that point of view it's unwise to molly-coddle them.

Thanks DD. That saves a job then 

[Trillium]

While I agree with DD for the most part, a few of you will have pigeons pulling out the new garlic sprouts thinking they're lovely greens. The cloves are easily pushed back into the soil but its still a bother to keep checking. Not all of you will have this problem but if you notice it happening, then put some netting up rather than fleece to keep the little blighters from adding to your workload. I know that in the past few years a few members had terrible bird problems with garlic sprouting.

[Steve.B]

Adding on from above is it worth planting out Garlic left over from last year which has green sprouts coming from the top. All my other bought Garlic went in in November.
I have space so could use them to fill a bit of space.

[Muddylou]

While I agree with DD for the most part, a few of you will have pigeons pulling out the new garlic sprouts thinking they're lovely greens. The cloves are easily pushed back into the soil but its still a bother to keep checking. Not all of you will have this problem but if you notice it happening, then put some netting up rather than fleece to keep the little blighters from adding to your workload. I know that in the past few years a few members had terrible bird problems with garlic sprouting.

So that's what's doing it, I wondered why a couple of my garlics had apparently jumped out of their holes. Thanks for that.

[mumofstig]

Adding on from above is it worth planting out Garlic left over from last year which has green sprouts coming from the top. All my other bought Garlic went in in November.
I have space so could use them to fill a bit of space.

It's always worth a try