Your comments and tips

27 Mar 17, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate)

Garlic is normally planted as the season cools down and is harvested in late December. It likes a sunny spot but dislikes competition from weeds so keep it well mulched. Consistent watering is also important for the best yield.

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17 Mar 17, Dianne (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi I have tried growing garlic a couple of times now. Generally I plant on the 23 March and harvest 23 June. First few times garlic was small except for a couple decent sized ones. Last year, I ended up with one large bulb only, on each plant; almost like a small onion. What would cause this to happen?

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19 Mar 17, Verena (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi Dianne I am in a sub tropical area too and I plant late April/May and harvest in November when leaves start to die down. Perhaps you are harvesting to early?

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07 Mar 17, ivy wambi (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)

where near I stay can I buy seedlings of garlic I 'am in tembisa (kempton park). am a small holding farmer.

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30 Mar 17, Leonora (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)

Livingseeds Heirloom Seeds P.O.Box 1421 Henley-on-Klip 1962 Tel: 016 365 3873 or 0731417101 [email protected] Elouise or Sean Give them a call. Very helpful.

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08 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

The easiest way to get garlic is to buy it from a green grocer (fruit shop) or nursery and separate the cloves before planting. one garlic bulb will yield 8 - 12 cloves. Seed is often available from seed companies, nurseries or garden centres. Refer to the Vegetables & Herbs guide on this site for more planting information. Happy garlic growing!

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26 Feb 17, Mateke (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)

Can I just grow garlic and store for more than 6 weeks?

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26 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

When the tops die off garlic is ready for harvest. If you hang it in a dry airy place it will keep for months. You can use some of the cloves to gro your next crop. Trust this helps.

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29 Mar 17, Ken WIlson (Australia - temperate climate)

Heres an answer for garlic, I grow about 300 plants a year and get good results with about 90% of the cloves coming in at 5cm in diameter plus. Season. Garlic takes up to 9 months to mature. Plant in autumn, late March to May, harvest November to December. Clove selection. Plant only the largest cloves, at least the size of your top thumb joint, I have big hands so I plant cloves 2- 2.5 cm across. Its easy to eat the biggest and the best, its better to plant the biggest and the best. Spacing. I plant 15 - 18 cloves per square metre, 25cm apart in rows 25 cm apart. With 30 cm + paths between 4 rows. It's easy to crowd them, and the yield in terms of weight may be much the same, but bigger garlic are a lot more fun and much easier to use in the kitchen. Sunlight. Whilst garlic can tolerate low sun during the winter months it needs 8 hours direct sunlight during the early and late growth stages. So lots of clear sky when it's maturing, September onwards. If your nutrition is right, (and soil acidity is right) then water could be the problem. While not much water is needed in winter, the ground should be kept moist through the season, especially in spring. A shallow watering is best the roots don't go down more than 30 cm max. Once to twice week during the maturing season. We cant control the weather, but avoid flooding (and applications of nutirients) during the final few weeks to lessen the chance of fungus attacks and sprouting. Garlic likes a moderate amount of lime (dolomite), you can rely on the recommended amount at least two weeks before planting and once every three years. Maturity. Look for tops fading in colour, a weakening of the stem near the base and a flattening of the top of the bulb when (gently) exposed Thats a lot and there's a lot more. It's a labour of love and a lifetime. And I'm sure others will have other suggestions, this is just a framework of what has worked for me. Planting at the moment actually. Regarding shallots most of the above also applies but Im not much of an authority. Shorter season length, but most of the above applies. I plant under the same conditions as garlic but only a few dozen and get good results.

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03 May 17, rod tuck (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Ken Thank you for your very informative post.Will definitely following your advice.Cheers Rod

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