Garlic problems

[allotment sue]

Help!! Garlic has gone to seed. I am going on holiday (oops!!) and so have dug it up and it is drying in the garage - I'll try to find time to string it up before we go. Can I use it? Will it store? Most Importantly - What did I do wrong?

[jacob marley]

What you did wrong was dig it up what you should have done was nip the flower heads of and leave the plant where it was .
The garlic should be ok when it is dry but not as big as it could have been jacob

[Stacey Steve]

When you say gone to seed, do you mean there were like nodules with a green stem above?

If so they were bolting. You could let them mature like that and you would get smaller bulbs.

If you just cut these off, then the bulbs will bulk out but the centre cloves would be gone (they are the ones that bolt).

If your bulbs have not split into cloves, no problems, they are not going to store to well but you can always peel and mince them and pickle in white wine vinegar and you have lazy garlic to use.

If you do this, then make sure the jar closures are correct for pickling or the result will be bright green sludge and disolved lids.

[Two_Sheds]

When you say gone to seed, do you mean there were like nodules with a green stem above? If so they were bolting.

Bolting is going to seed.
No, they won't store. Use them up as 'green' or fresh, garlic. Yum. The very hot then very cold weather probably shocked them into thinking it was time to make seed.

[Paulottie]

I didn't find that to be true two sheds, they store fine (unlike bolted onions) as long as they are well ripened and dried. Just cut off the flower heads as Jacob says.

I don't use vinegar for lazy garlic but salt and olive oil to cover. Or I just make up garlic butter , roll it in greaseproof paper and put it in the freezer.

[BarleySugar]

Sainsbury's have tiny cubes of frozen garlic puree for £1.45. They also do coriander and ginger. I really liked the trays, so I'm looking to see if I can find any to buy. OH suggested buying the products, then reusing the trays, which is a plan, but as my first thought was, what a rip, I'm now reluctant to go that route.