| My allotment in Liverpool |
| GARLIC |
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| This must be one of the easiest crops to grow and can be planted in October or November to get an early start in the new year to ensure a large bulb. Also can be planted in March or April. Garlic grows as a multi-lobed bulb, and the individual lobes (or cloves) are separated and each one planted individually just below the surface of the soil. |
| October 23rd 17 days after planting |
| 1st July from a February planting |
| In 2006, I planted my garlic in peat modules in the greenhouse in February with the intention of planting them into my garden. I then unexpectantly got my allotment and was able to plant the rooted cloves into the first bed to be completed, in late March. Plant the cloves about 6 inches (15cm) apart to allow room for hoeing between plants unless you like hand-weeding. Mine in 2006 were from Tesco and turned out to be hardneck which produce the curly seedhead seen on the left ok but impossible to plait. |
| 17 July lifted and dry |
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| Hard neck garlic |
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| TOO EARLY? October 31st 2006 and the incredibly mild October has meant that the garlic cloves (Albingensian Wight) have sprouted. The variety Wight Cristo has not sprouted at all. |
| 2007 |
| As 2006 was the first year of my allotment that I started digging on the 18th March I was unable to start the garlic off early but on the 7th October I planted the 2007 crop. This time the soil had been manured with horse manure that I obtained from the local riding school. This batch of manure had been rotting since mid May and was applied just before planting. |
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| TOO CLOSE? January 13th The soil is hoed AFTER hand weeding as hoeing weeds in damp soil enables them to regrow. Nice wide 6 inch gaps this year. |
| VIRUS FREE! Unfortunately the leaves are showing signs of rust, a fungal disease that is not fatal but can reduce yields. It affects the older leaves which can be removed. |
| 19th February 2007 A close up of a growing bulb, not a good photo but it shows the rapidly growing bulb and the effect of rust.One leaf has dried and another has started. I hope that warm dry weather will improve things. |
| 28th January 2007 A view of both varieties showing that the Albigensian Wight is more advanced, but that its slower cousin Wight Cristo is unaffected by rust. |
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| 8th April 2007 The weather has been unusually dry with no rain since the 23rd March and with light rain only in February and March itself. I do not like to water as the roots stay on the surface instead of going deep. I am certain that the growers in hot countries where it originates do not water. I have mulched the garlic with horse manure. |
| How to grow garlic |
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| 7th May and still looking fairly healthy. Rust is affecting every plant. |
| 17th June and rust is taking over. More leaves dying |
| 1st July and the rust has won. Poor crop ready for lifting |
| It is rare for garlic to be nearly ruined by rust and I can only presume that it is the wet weather that has caused the problem. It is especially disappointing that I bought the bulbs from a commercial source and the rust was evident from the word go. Next year I shall buy bulbs from the South of France from the market! |
| Grow your own garlic with ease |
| Growing garlic is easy |
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