GARLIC Help!!

[HairyGecko]

Well, I managed to get myself an allotment in November last, and after a few hours of digging and de-weeding a raised bed left by a previous tenant, I planted a selection of garlics (from The Garlic Farm selection). On visiting the allotment on friday, I too discovered 3 or 4 garlic leaves poking through the surface
Now all I have to do is de-weed the rest of the plot!!!!

A question about companion planting for garlic - would it be reasonable to scatter some low-lying flower seeds amongst the garlic stems a little later on in the year, as garlic grows relatively tall and it would be nice to have some polinating insect attractors....

Any thoughts would be helpful, as I am rather new to all this!

Cheers,
Adam

[Rockhag]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2397/...7a8858d205.jpg

Mine last week.

[moggssue]

Thanks Paul - the Oct bought bulbs were sprouting away happily (they were stored on the table in my campervan with the curtains drawn!) and are now in large pots. I bought some more (couldnt resist a half price bargain in Wyevale!) a few weeks ago and planted half of them as well. It hasnt stopped raining since though, so now I'm thinking of moving them under the cold frame to stop them getting waterlogged - except then they won't get frosted either

[Glasshousevirgin]

lots of good tips here!
Last season I threw some round my roses in October and got a good crop which we are still eating now.
They were brilliant at deterring greenfly on the roses too.
This year I haven't got mine in yet so will note your tips folks thx

[Paul Wagland]

Isn't there an old book on companion planting simply titled 'Roses Love Garlic'? I never realised it was to do with greenfly, but that makes sense.

HairyGecko - your idea for planting creeping flowers is a good one. Try Limanthes douglasii (poached egg plant) for one. I think that's how it's spelt anyway...

[HairyGecko]

Thanks for the suggestion Paul, I shall hunt out some of those I was down at t'allotment again yesterday, braving the chill Scottish wind, and the sprouting garlics seem to be doing well. Unfortunately, still only have limited internet access (at work only) as home laptop died and new one not here yet....

Only another 20x3m area to de-weed to go..........

Adam