Your comments and tips

19 Mar 17, Verena (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi Dianne I am in a sub tropical area too and I plant late April/May and harvest in November when leaves start to die down. Perhaps you are harvesting to early?

Reply or Post a new comment

29 Mar 17, Ken WIlson (Australia - temperate climate)

Heres an answer for garlic, I grow about 300 plants a year and get good results with about 90% of the cloves coming in at 5cm in diameter plus. Season. Garlic takes up to 9 months to mature. Plant in autumn, late March to May, harvest November to December. Clove selection. Plant only the largest cloves, at least the size of your top thumb joint, I have big hands so I plant cloves 2- 2.5 cm across. Its easy to eat the biggest and the best, its better to plant the biggest and the best. Spacing. I plant 15 - 18 cloves per square metre, 25cm apart in rows 25 cm apart. With 30 cm + paths between 4 rows. It's easy to crowd them, and the yield in terms of weight may be much the same, but bigger garlic are a lot more fun and much easier to use in the kitchen. Sunlight. Whilst garlic can tolerate low sun during the winter months it needs 8 hours direct sunlight during the early and late growth stages. So lots of clear sky when it's maturing, September onwards. If your nutrition is right, (and soil acidity is right) then water could be the problem. While not much water is needed in winter, the ground should be kept moist through the season, especially in spring. A shallow watering is best the roots don't go down more than 30 cm max. Once to twice week during the maturing season. We cant control the weather, but avoid flooding (and applications of nutirients) during the final few weeks to lessen the chance of fungus attacks and sprouting. Garlic likes a moderate amount of lime (dolomite), you can rely on the recommended amount at least two weeks before planting and once every three years. Maturity. Look for tops fading in colour, a weakening of the stem near the base and a flattening of the top of the bulb when (gently) exposed Thats a lot and there's a lot more. It's a labour of love and a lifetime. And I'm sure others will have other suggestions, this is just a framework of what has worked for me. Planting at the moment actually. Regarding shallots most of the above also applies but Im not much of an authority. Shorter season length, but most of the above applies. I plant under the same conditions as garlic but only a few dozen and get good results.

Reply or Post a new comment

03 May 17, rod tuck (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Ken Thank you for your very informative post.Will definitely following your advice.Cheers Rod

Reply or Post a new comment

12 Dec 16, Chris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi, I was wanting to grow garlic on the Atherton Tablelands, some 800m above sea level, in the tropics. We have a subtropical to temperate climate. Which garlic would be best suited to our conditions? Thanks

Reply or Post a new comment

19 Nov 16, Jagtar (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I would like to grow my own Garlic. what is the right time and is there any difference difference between Chinese and Australian garlic.

Reply or Post a new comment

21 Nov 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Hello Jagtar Refer 'Garlic. 12 November. Ralph. I posted note there about Chinese Garlic Regards John

Reply or Post a new comment

12 Nov 16, Ralph (Australia - tropical climate)

can i plant garlic now?

Reply or Post a new comment

23 Nov 16, Keith (Australia - temperate climate)

I suspect that planting garlic now (November) would result in the plant growing somewhat then dying back as summer heat increases and moisture is reduced. The plant would then shoot from any resulting new cloves in march and you would end up with 4 or 6 plants growing in a circle about 2 inches in diameter. These could be used as sets next yer however they would be growing from small cloves and this usually results in small or poor plants. I always propagate from the 10 or so best bulbs from each years harvest. There isnt anything really wrong with planting the generic white chinese supermarket variety except that they are generally treated to inhibit/slow germination. There are lots of different varieties of garlic so keep an eye out at markets and nurseries for different varieties to experiment with.

Reply or Post a new comment

18 Nov 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Like a lot of flowering bulbs garlic is normally planted in autumn or winter. You could give it a try if someone has given you some cloves. It will probably not be harvestable until next year. NEVER use cloves from supermarkets or fruit shops unless you can be sure it is Australian grown as most garlic on sale is grown in China and they have something in their garlic that we don't want in Australian soils.

Reply or Post a new comment

14 Nov 16, Lambrina (Australia - temperate climate)

I am also wondering this - I know the best time (from researching) is Apr, May, June BUT I am just wondering if it is worth my while planting now and if I will get any results?

Reply or Post a new comment