[Muddylou]

Just noticed my garlic only now starting to sprout. Solent Wight planted at the end of September. So its been 6/7 weeks. My onions planted at the same time are 7" tall.

[prakash_mib]

Just a question on garlic. might have been asked earlier but please dont laugh at me. I dont like garlic and my wife suggested we should plant some so i took a godd dry bulb from tescos (30 p cheaper than seed ones) and planted 6 cloves. Surprise all have sprouted but will it bulb???

[hillbilly]

Yes. If it's sprouted it will bulb.
My understanding is the only downside of buying bulbs for eating and planting them is they aren't 'certified' (as in 'free of disease' not waiting for men in white coats!).
Also they might just not like our climate like the wussy french stuff (beautiful big fat fragrant bulbs) I bought that just rotted next to the home grown ones  .
I'm sure others will be along to add to this but my only reservation is shopping at Tesco's  .

[barbarella]

Is it right that one type or the other - hard neck / soft neck - is slower to show? Buggered if I know which but if someone does and you know what you've planted it might explain it - if delving doesn't prove rotting or theft.

Good point - I checked on mine this morning after being on holiday and one row was well up - the other not. I planted a mixture of soft and hardneck (Aquila, Picardy and Solent) on 5 October,  so that might explain it.

I definitely wouldn't use fleece though - how about crop protection netting or chicken wire to foil the critters?

[aelf]

Update:
checked my garlic yesterday and they are showing well! already half an inch high and only planted 4 weeks ago. Some of my onions are also showing. 

[stentman]

Only planted mine today, then saw the west midlands weather forecast for the next three days, so it could be Christmas before I see any signs of life.

[Sweet Pea 2]

it isn't that bad in the W Midlands...I know i used to live there