[sharonl]

Hi all,

I've got my 3 varieties of garlic bulbs and I'm ready to go for planting but I have a question about ground prep for overwintering garlic and shallots. Our soil is by a river bed and has very few nutrients as its a new allotment, since we only got it last april we've been growing plenty but didn't put in any manure or compost. So to prepare for the next season we're gonna start manuring over the next two months but I'm not sure what to do with the garlic bed. I know you shouldn't really plant them in freshly manured site but would it be ok to load the bed with some compost and fish blood and bone this weekend and plant them next weekend in that or would we be better off whacking in a load of manure and compost and wait a few weeks maybe until the middle of october to plant them or would this be getting too late. We really have very few nutrients in the soil and want to make sure we have the ground in all the beds well prepared for next years growing season. We also really want garlic as early as possible next year as I use far too much of the stuff and am really tired of buying half rotten garlic bulbs in the shops. I've thrown out 4 bulbs over the last 2 weeks because they've been so rotten, time to grow my own.

thanks
sharon

[Belfast]

Hope this helps
How to Grow Garlic in Your Home Garden Successfully
http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/about240.html

[alab1]

I grow herbs here in south Florida but I think garlic growing requirements are the same everywhere. I planted cloves from the grocery store in well drained soil that wasn't very rich in nutrients and they are doing fine. Just make sure they get plenty of sunlight (at least 6 hours per day, 10 hours if possible. I find garlic to be a tough plant and in the right conditions they prosper.

[forest flame]

WOULD IT BE TOO LATE TO PLANT GARLIC BULBS NOW

[alab1]

From what I understand you can still plant garlic at this time of the year. It grows throughout the winter and delivers its delights in the spring.

[alab1]

Are you really from Dublin? I once had the pleasure of visiting in the little town of New-Market-On-Fergus near the Shannon River. I was totally fascinated with your country and hope to get back there some time.

[Redfox]

I planted mine in November, garlic needs 4-6 weeks before the first frost to develop a healthy root system. Then it can withstand the winter. As all is frozen now I would wait until February.