Garlic advice - how to store and how to plant

[vixylix]

Hello all,

I've just received my Solent Wight bulbs - so a couple of questions.

Firstly, I'm not going to get chance to plant them out until the weekend (assuming the ground is unfrozen enough!) - where am I best storing them until then? light / dark? warm / cold?

Secondly, having done some searching I am a bit confused as to whether to plant them as cloves or as bulbs - bulbs will be quicker / easier obviously but doesn't seem like they'd really have enough space?! What does everyone do?

Thanks

[roitelet]

Split them and plant the largest cloves, eat the rest! Plant them about 2ins deep and 6 ins apart in rows 12ins apart. Store them in the light somewhere cool until you are ready to plant.

[Scarlet]

As Roitelet has advised really, though if you arent short of space i would plant even the small ones this year as you are just startingout. You can eat the smaller bulbscloves come harvest and save the big cloves for planting. Hopefully you wont have to buy any more growing garlic again.

If the ground is too frozen you can also start off in individual pots. Good luck!

[vixylix]

Thanks Scarlet - I thought about starting in modules, but then I thought they needed to get cold to grow properly. If I put them in modules would they need to be outside rather than inside?

[KittyColdNose]

I think they are better planted direct, or at least that's how theywork best for me. They grow very well in tubs too which can be left outside.

Not sure hnow mine will fare this year, we live in one of the places that flooded the other week and they got a bit soggy.

[vixylix]

Mine got soggy last year and all rotted away apart from two fingers crossed yours recover!

[Scarlet]

I always plant direct in the Autumn but ive tried a few in pots and planted when i had the chance and they gave a great crop too. If the ground is frozen its a way of getting them started. You could try both ways and see whats best for you. I kept mine in the green house.