The Poultry Keeper

Bendix01 · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 4:10 pm Post subject: Garlic

When is best to plant out garlic? Is it an all year round thing? I want it in containers if poss but do have a spare patch about a foot square that I want to plant with summit'. Would prefer garlic in a tub though.

Aussie Chick · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:59 pm Post subject:

Plant in November for the biggest bulbs Very Happy

It will grow well in a container.

Bendix01 · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 7:52 am Post subject:

Cheers for that!

It is now on my November list. Cool

Lisa · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:03 am Post subject:

Do you buy any particular sort of garlic for planting? Or do you just use what you can get at the supermarket?

I will confess to some "retail therapy" at The Garlic Farm recently Rolling Eyes

But I was wondering if I could just use what I already had too? Especially since we like it and all the animals get it as well now (5 chickens, 2 dogs) - I'm gonna need lots next year! Shocked

Heather · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:19 am Post subject:

You can grow bulbs bought from the supermarket - they tell you not to because of risk of viruses - but I have never heard of this happening .

Though I do find that you get larger heads from the proper seed garlic

Bendix01 · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:32 am Post subject:

From what I have now read up on. Supermarket stuff can be used but better a Greengrocer due to cultivation methods used. But either way nice healthy fresh garlic will apparently produce good crops. Plant now and harvest in April and replant a split bulb then to harvest now. Jubbly!

Lisa · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:39 am Post subject:

That's interesting to know. I can feel an experiment coming on in the garlic department Laughing

as I'd love more of the garlic I'm using now.

I bought a rope of garlic (is that the right term?) at the "Totally Tomato" day at West Dean gardens recently. Gorgeous stuff. The guy said it was French and, although not strictly ogranic, had been grown without chemicals.

I did mash with garlic and soured cream with tea last night. Yummy. I just threw several peeled, halved cloves in the water with the potatoes, and mashed them up too when it was all cooked and drained. Stirred in a dollop of soured cream too at the end. It must have been good - even the OH commented on how nice the mash was and asked what was in it Very Happy

My only problem is... at this rate, I'm not sure one allotment is going to be enough next year Rolling Eyes

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Lisa · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:45 am Post subject:

Promised the OH I won't even ask at the council until I've finished digging the one I've got Embarassed

Bendix01 · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:46 am Post subject:

Jeeez! You got an allotment. Lucky you. I'v got to be creative and blend it all in with Hosta's and shrubs etc..

I have been watching the 'Monty' on GW and am running some container trials and buddy planting trials.

Apparently garlic oil sprayed/spread around your crops prevents slugs. Useful to know for my Hosta collection. It makes the slugs over slime and dry themselves out in a matter of minutes. Twisted Evil

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Bendix01 · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:50 am Post subject:

That is to say Isaw the state of your stems. Laughing

The chooks certainly like mine.

Lisa · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:55 am Post subject:

Garlic to get rid of slugs? Thats a new one for me. Wasn't in my favourite little book: 50 Ways to Kill a Slug Rolling Eyes

What exactly is garlic oil then?

Only one drawback that I can see - now I'll have to grow even more garlic Laughing

Heather · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:58 am Post subject:

Lisa · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 3:07 pm Post subject:

Will do!!