[RebeccaM]

When is the latest for planting garlic ?  Didn't get chance in Dec to plant it so was going to plant this weekend or next ?  Would next weekend be too late ?

[amckeen]

I planted last years garlic in January and it was absolutely fine,very good crops.

It needs some good cold weather to help it along and face it, despite the cold in the past weeks, our coldest weather usually comes in February time.

[RebeccaM]

thanks v much.  I'll relax and plant it next weekend.

[Salmo]

No need to hurry planting your garlic. The soil has been frozen for several weeks in most areas and will not be warm enough for growth. Better to wait until the soil is in good condition.

Garlic does need a cold period to ensure that it produces lots of cloves but it does not need to be very cold. I think it is something like below 7 degrees C for 20 days which is usually achieved in our soils even when not planted until early March.

Solent Wight can be planted Autumn or Spring. Some varieties, especially hardnecks are best Autumn planted.

If you are worried put it in the vegetable section of your fridge in a paper bag for a couple of weeks before you plant.