[8Bed]

Ive been thinking of doing a test in a section of 1 bed down the allotment. Ive had a look at buying these :

http://www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk/?PAGEID=36588&STK_PROD_CODE=1040-6043&CTL_CAT_CODE=M11008

Is now the right time to plant? Did i read elsewhere on here that Christmas is ideal to get some Garlic in, Or is it too early?

-8Bed

[mashauk]

Isn't it the other way round, and quite late, although I don't suppose it matters, but mine went in a few weeks ago.

[cawdor2001]

8Bed, it is not too early at all, get em in as soon as.  They need a period of cold weather to produce a bulb properly next year, if your soil is heavy and waterlogged i would be inclined to wait until it dries a bit or they could rot as they don't like sitting in wet soil for long periods.

Cawdor

[JulesJ]

I put my garlic in in mid October and they're thriving.

[8Bed]

Thanks all, I'll get an order in now.

-8Bed

[min200]

This is going to sound daft but...

Which way up do you plant them?  Fat end up or down?

Mine have just arrived and I want to get them planted asap.

[DD.]

Fat end down - the same way they come out!!  

[polly tunnel]

Following the tips from you guys, I also planted mine in October so far nothing has come up...should I worry?

[crowndale]

I hope not polly coz mine aren't showing either!

[Bombers]

nor mine, but I think this mild spell might help.

[Trillium]

The bulbs are probably setting roots now and no top growth yet. If you're worried, then carefully dig around one or two and see what's happening. If nothing at all, then check that the bulbs are still 'fat' which means they're still viable and perhaps just slow.

[Salmo]

Really a note for min200. Break up the garlic bulb into cloves and plant each clove with the flat bit downwards and the pointy bit upwards.

Garlic and shallots are both traditionally planted on the shortest day, which just happens to be tomorrow, and harvested on the longest.

Garlic is best planted either autumn or early Spring. The danger of planting in mid winter, when it is too cold to start growth, is that it will rot in the ground. On heavy wet land it may be best to plant in modules and then plant out later.

To ensure the required cold spell needed, put them in a paper bag in the veg compartment of the fridge for a couple of weeks.

[min200]

Really a note for min200. Break up the garlic bulb into cloves and plant each clove with the flat bit downwards and the pointy bit upwards.

Garlic and shallots are both traditionally planted on the shortest day, which just happens to be tomorrow, and harvested on the longest.

Garlic is best planted either autumn or early Spring. The danger of planting in mid winter, when it is too cold to start growth, is that it will rot in the ground. On heavy wet land it may be best to plant in modules and then plant out later.

To ensure the required cold spell needed, put them in a paper bag in the veg compartment of the fridge for a couple of weeks.

Thanks for that!!!   I will be planting them in tyres so nice and raised!!

I will be planting out in the morning

[polly tunnel]

Thanks for the reassurance guys, I shall be patient..
Polly.

[WirralWally]

I normally plant my garlic and onion sets on the day of the last full moon of the year, which in 2008 was Dec 12th.

However, for various nonsensical reasons, I planted my garlic on the penultimate full moon (Nov 13th) and won't be planting the onion sets until early next year.
The garlic is currently standing to attention in neat rows and about 2 - 3 inches high.