do I need to protect my garlic?

[creag]

I planted some garlic two weeks ago and small shoots have just started to break the surface of the raised bed I built for them. Do I need to do anything to protect them from the severe frost/snow we can get here in the winter or just leave them alone? The soil is draining okay so I don't think they'll rot with the rain. Any help gratefully received!

[Liza]

Do I need to do anything to protect them from the severe frost/snow we can get here in the winter

Nope, they will be fine

[creag]

thanks for the reassurance Liza!

[Flummery]

Garlic actually needs a cold snap to form bulbs.

[rustylady]

The cold weather and snow won't harm them.

[creag]

thanks all!

[Glutton4...]

I planted mine last November, and had a bumper crop, with no intervention from me other than weeding the bed once the snow had finally gone.

This year's Garlic went in this afternoon. Unfortunately, the bed isn't full, so I can sense a shopping spree coming on...

[Croila]

I planted mine this afternoon I got some hardneck "Music" variety as they're supposed to do well up here so we'll see ... Half went in pots, half went in the ground, and I've never grown them before so I'm dying to see how they get on!

Still find it hard to get my head round the fact they won't need any protection over winter though, not even if it goes down to minus ten

[Two_Sheds]

Still find it hard to get my head round the fact they won't need any protection over winter though, not even if it goes down to minus ten

Garlic is thought to have originated in Central Asia, possibly Siberia

"the climate of central Asia is one of extremes. Winters are long and cold, chilled by cold winds from the polar regions. Summers everywhere but the highlands are short and hot."

[Croila]

Really?! Right then, I'm good to go!

[creag]

I've hedged my bets and planted Germidor, Crista and Marco to see which survives the best. keep yer fingers crossed for a not-so-siberian winter!

[Alison]

Most of my autumn planted stuff rotted last year so I lost it over winter and the spring replacements didn't do very well (not long enough I feel) but I think that was a bit of a one off so you should be fine

[Lovely Helen]

My garlic went into the bed with the most clay in it last year so I made ridges to plant them on and lined the channels with sand which seemed to help. Got a really good crop which is storing very nicely.

[Croila]

I've got clay soil and I never thought to put sand in it or plant them up in ridges - what a great idea! Oh well, I guess I'll have to wait and see what happens over winter. I hope they don't get too waterlogged ... Although they're at the top of a slight slope so maybe there will be a bit of run-off to help.