Winter onion and garlic care

[andy_j]

Got some onion sets and garlic ready to go in for the winter. Do they need any special care ? I can get a frame made and put fleece over the top if needed ?

Thanks

[SarzWix]

The garlic is pretty tough, and in fact usually does better if it freezes, and the onions should survive it too. Both are a bit more temperamental when it comes to wet though. Neither will like sitting in very wet ground, so if you have very clay-y soil it would be worth digging in something to help it drain a bit; spent compost from tubs, or a bit of sand maybe.

[Bigmallly]

if you have very clay-y soil it would be worth digging in something to help it drain a bit; spent compost from tubs, or a bit of sand maybe.

Plus it will help the onions to root as they tend to push themselves out of the ground...........also watch out for the birds as they can pull them out.

[andy_j]

Thanks, soil is lovely, loamy, very free draining and slightly alkaline (sorry to brag lol)

[zazen999]

Thanks, soil is lovely, loamy, very free draining and slightly alkaline (sorry to brag lol)

Be prepared for smaller onions and garlics than us on clay though! Alliums love clay as it holds the nutrients that they need.

[WilliamD]

The frame and fleece will be a good idea. Otherwise it could be a playground for pigeons ripping out the green shoots.

[Filbert]

The garlic needs a few months of cold or it won't split into cloves.