Onions/shallots/garlic ?

[Ger-annie-um]

Both hubby and me are in a bit of trouble healthwise. He's just had an op which is putting him out of action for the next 7 ish weeks. I'm not allowed to do any meaningful gardening until I have an op early in the new year. We have now taken delivery of our onion sets (radar/shakespere), shallots (jermor) and garlic (Mersley wight/rhapsody wight. There is little or no chance we can get our allotment dug over before planting them so my question is:

Can I plant them up in modules, overwinter them in a cold frame and plant them out when we're both more fit in spring?

I've used modules before but only for leftovers and never for garlic
Thanks Grapes

[ameno]

Planting them in modules or small pots should be fine.
Just make sure the garlic is cold enough over winter. If it doesn't get a sufficient cold spell then it won't split next year, and you'll end up with a single giant clove per plant.

[peanut]

I always start mine off in modules or pots

[Muddy_Boots]

I've just planted my winter garlic in pots watered and put the trays they are in into the greenhouse. The two bulbs were in the fridge for the last 3 days to artificially give them that cold spell that will stimulate them to start growing, it worked as when I separated the cloves quite a few of them had developed shoots and were showing signs of waking up.

[Muddy_Boots]

Just an update, went into the greenhouse to check on everything and EVERY garlic clove planted has a shoot poking above the top of the old compost used which I've never had happen so soon, seem to think because its so mild atm they are spurting ahead really quickly.

I've planted All Year Round Caulis and replanted them into pots and they are going fantastic as well, stuff is growing more like its spring again so far and from the forecast its going to stay mild for at least 2 weeks. Gives me time to get the Shallots and winter onion sets planted in the ground after digging it for the first time and removing any tree roots left to get out, I'm also getting the winter Broad Beans planted tomorrow as its going to be mild and dry.

[Ger-annie-um]

I've today checked the onions/shallots/garlic that I potted up in modules/pots. I put them in a large coldframe with the lids up. Every single one has put up a good shoot and the roots are below the pot bottom!

Now what? My plot is clay and currently water logged. Hubby has his op next week and out of commission for 2 weeks after that. I'd be grateful for any advice of what i can do......transfer to bigger pots/ trim roots/ leave well alone and hope for the best?
Over to you experts

[ameno]

I'd just leave them be. Even though the roots are coming out the bottom, I doubt the pots are actually anywhere near full of roots. They would have just made a bee line for the base of the pot.

[Ger-annie-um]

I'd just leave them be. Even though the roots are coming out the bottom, I doubt the pots are actually anywhere near full of roots. They would have just made a bee line for the base of the pot.

Thank you. I'll breath a sigh of relief and just keep an eye on them