A question about growing garlic

[jkwiseman]

I have grown elephant garlic which is related to the leek or years and have had great success. Last fall I planted Spanish garlic for the first time. I started with large purple garlic bulbs that had large cloves. They grew well all winter and I harvested them this morning. Everyone of them had a single bulb without cloves. I am a little disappointed but I think I need to cure the bulbs and plant them again in the coming fall. Any advise on how to proceed will be appreciated.

 

[headfullofbees]

The usual cause of this problem is insufficient vernalisation.
Without enough cold to break down some of the chemicals in garlic, they do not mature correctly.
Put you seed garlic in the refrigerator for four weeks prior to planting.

 

[Mick Emery]

I plant my garlic in Oct. & harvest the end of June. I know it shouldn't be water towards the end.
I read an interesting article from a garlic farmer. I'll try to post the link.
https://www.sustainablemarketfarming.com/2015/05/11/garlic-scapes-three-weeks-to-bulb-harvest/

I also read to harvest when the 6th leaf, down from the tops dies...

 

[Oliver Buckle]

Clearing out the garage the other day I found some of last year's garlic in a bucket with little green shoots sprouting. Any point in planting them this early?

 

[leon richard]

Can u use garlic from a grocery store or should I go to a CO-OP ?

 

[Durgan]

Can u use garlic from a grocery store or should I go to a CO

 

[Durgan]

For planting I always use my garlic from the previous year with no problems. When in markets if I see attractive garlic I buy one or two bulbs for planting. This is to always have vigorous stock. I have planted supermarket garlic and it always grows well. I plant in October and it overwinters in the ground in zone 5. No problem in zone 5 with vernalization due to long cold snowy Winters.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

I have heard tales of supermarket garlic treated to stop it sprouting on the shelf. Like you, Durgan, I had never had a problem, but since then I have bought 'Organic' bulbs, no harm done and only a bit dearer.

 

[Durgan]

I have encountered no evidence that garlic has a sprout inhibitor. Now potatoes have, since they don't grow. Not always but often.

 

[headfullofbees]

I have encountered no evidence that garlic has a sprout inhibitor. Now potatoes have, since they don't grow. Not always but often.

These sprout inhibitors are not legal in the UK.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

That would account why I have never had the problem

Clearing out in the garage the other day I found some last year's garlic that has started to sprout, Any idea what would happen If I put that in the ground now?

 

[headfullofbees]

I think it would bolt.
It's a biannual.

 

[Durgan]

These sprout inhibitors are not legal in the UK.

I don't even like eatimg potatoes that have been sprayed with inhibitors

 

[headfullofbees]

I don't even like eatimg potatoes that have been sprayed with inhibitors

Are you certain that your potatoes are sprayed?
Potatoes have natural dormancy, of different levels, could some of it be down to that?

 

[Durgan]

Are you certain that your potatoes are sprayed?
Potatoes have natural dormancy, of different levels, could some of it be down to that?

I chip some years and sprayed potatoes do not grow sprouts. Sprouts being my measurement system.