Grow Perfect Garlic Every Time

Are you a fellow vampire-defeating, bad-breathed garlic-lover?! Well, get planting NOW!
Many people do not realize that planting garlic in autumn can offer the best results.
There are so many pungent and tasty varieties to choose from and they all offer health benefits along with their flavor-boosting goodness. Ben demonstrates how to plant, what to plant and when to plant in this tasty sizzler!
If you love growing your own food, why not take a look at our online Garden Planner which helps you to plan and design your garden to maximise yields and get more out of your garden all year round.
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[@karenpitsenbarger4559]

I never comment on you tube videos but I felt led to let you know that your videos are the best explained, best advised and easiest to understand videos I have seen yet on youtube! Thank you for explaining the reasoning behind the things you do. I was an instant fan from the first video. Thank you!

[@GrowVeg]

Really appreciate the feedback Karen, thanks so much. :)

[@suejones8080]

😂 So am I, from S A.

[@briankerr4512]

you should reply to videos you like because it helps the channel get more views.

[@EL-gu8fv]

I agree, I really enjoy your channel, it's given me great pointers to growing on a budget.

[@ivankajuric919]

Thank you for the straight forward and to the point information without unnecessary padding and wasting our time! Much appreciated! Greetings from Australia 🦘

[@PanAmStyle]

I’ve been growing garlic for over 15 years - one year I planted on a friend’s farm and had about 1,000 plants! In my region (Western New York State) I plant in the middle of November and harvest is reliably the 2nd-3rd week of July. I grow Red Russian exclusively, from a strain I bought from Ted Maczka, “The Garlic Man of Fish Lake, Ontario.” Ted knew more about garlic than just about anyone ever - he was a garlic hero and is much missed.

[@GrowVeg]

Continuing to grow Red Russian would be a wonderful tribute to Ted I'm sure.

[@cheesekake1841]

Do you sell your Red Russian garlic?

[@mikef6948]

I loved seeing him driving around in his little car with the big garlic on the roof !! He used to come down to the Belleville Ont area quite a bit. ;)

[@marilynH66]

The first time I grew garlic was in 2014. It was a huge success for a beginner! I grow my own garlics since then.

[@Eggspipe]

I’d watch this guy on TV, entertaining and informative, great vids 👍

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much! :-)

[@jasenanderson8534]

For those in the southern hemisphere, plant by ANZAC Day and pull up around Remembrance Day, or At least when the leaves have browned. Great tips as usual.

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers for that Jasen.

[@dotadojardiner8893]

My garlic harvest this year was a huge success. Planted entirely from supermarket (UK supermarket that has orange bags) bought cloves of some hardneck variety from Spain. I have selected the best cloves from the harvest to plant now for next years crop so hopefully they will do just as well.

[@anncapozza5803]

I'm in San Diego and did the same thing - planted cloves from grocery store and had great success with every clove - now have a boatload of beautiful garlic. Have just planted my next crop for next spring - cloves from this current harvest. 🤞

[@GrowVeg]

Nice work guys. I also grew a crop from supermarket garlic this season and was pleasantly surprised I have to say.

[@mikinswales]

I'm trying planting garlic for the first time and I'm using supermarket brought ones, fingers crossed I'm pleasantly surprised too

[@karlbartz6546]

Love my Garlic! I have 2 unknown varieties I purchased at a farmers market and regrow them every year. Made garlic powder for the first time this year and it was the best I ever had. Highly Recommend!

[@GrowVeg]

I bet it taste supreme Karl.

[@kulvinderdiocee6981]

I have learned so much about gardening from your KZbin videos. They truly are the best. Thank you.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much! Happy gardening! :-)

[@smile30981]

What perfect timing! I'm pulling up a small bed today that held my bean tower so I can plant my Purple Glazer garlic. Great tips, interesting that you didn't cover the bed with a couple of inches of mulch as I thought that was a definite need. Always love your videos with my morning coffee, I always learn something new and appreciate your energy!

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased you enjoyed the video. The ground has been well prepped but I may well add a mulch of shredded leaves in a few weeks - just as soon as the leaves start falling properly - it's been a very slow start to autumn!

[@chipperkeithmgb]

Your enthusiasm is fantastic

[@kathypope3010]

Thank you for the most informative, concise garlic growing video I've watched. Love your channel.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much! :-)

[@marilynd2012]

Braise a large head of broccoli (or several small ones) and a full bulb of garlic (pressed or minced) in a ¼ cup of butter in a stove top skillet; add some leftover wine, cover and steam until desired tenderness…delicious! Thank you for the helpful tips.

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds totally sublime Marilyn!

[@lisagilmore4519]

Planted my garlic today about 80 bulbs. I’m in middle north Tennessee. Love your videos. Have a great day

[@GrowVeg]

Great stuff Lisa - you're in line for a bumper crop. Good job!

[@sarahd5064]

I have grown garlic for the last four years and it’s one of my most reliable and best crop. I plant 16-20 cloves in late September, cover with straw and then harvest in mid/ late July. I just need more room to plant more so we actually have enough for the year and to plant for the following year!

[@lisawallace3124]

I like to harvest all my garlic, then peel and chop it all at once in the food processor with a bit of olive oil. Then I use a cookie scoop to scoop onto a parchment lined tray and freeze solid. Once frozen, I transfer my "garlic balls" to a zip top bag and VOILA, I don't have to peel & chop garlic for every meal! I also do the same with fresh ginger, although up to now, it's been with store bought ginger. Next year, I hope to have my own harvest of ginger too!

[@GrowVeg]

That is a really good idea!

[@redrumble2000]

I grow about 100 bulbs a year and with all the will in the world it won't last 12 months, So I peel loads of them,and wizz them to a paste with a splash of cooking oil and salt Then freeze them in ice cube trays; enough to add to most meals and will last a long time.

[@GrowVeg]

What an ingenious way to store them. :-)

[@MaryJanis]

If you soak them overnight in water diluted hydrogen peroxide to kill any mold or fungus, then soak them in an organic water based fertilizer like kelp meal, fish fertilizer or hydroponic fertilizer, overnight before planting it will give them a healthy boost. I watched a test where an untreated bulb and a treated bulb were planted together, at the same time and when dug up after a week the untreated bulb had 1/4 inch root nubs but the treated bulbs had 1 inch roots and a very thick root system started. Enjoy your videos! Fall is a very sad time for me having to put the outside garden to bed just when the peppers are finally covered in blooms! 6 months of Wisconsin winter 😨 ...but, I have growlights! 🤣

[@GrowVeg]

Wow Mary - this is a genuinely fascinating insight. Thank you so much for sharing. I'd love to try this myself next year. Great idea!

[@TheWendable]

Your face at the very start just made me want to like n sub 🤗 You answered all the questions I didn’t even know I had 😅. Thank you. (The smell of wild garlic in the summer has to be my favourite smell ever😍)

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much Wendy - and welcome to the channel! :-)

[@DaveTheHillsideGardener]

Garlic Parmesan chicken is one of my favorite

[@keturahmash9329]

Almost as enthusiastic about garlic as I am! 🤣 Steak marinade: Equal parts olive oil and soy sauce(depends on the number of steaks), then at least 4 cloves of garlic, crush and bruise first then chop small and add to soy/oil mix. A good ... really good pinch of pepper. No need for salt, it's all in the soy. Marinade streaks at room temp (this is important for flavours to impart) for at least 2-3 hours before cooking. Enjoy! Thanks for a great channel 👍

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds totally yum - thanks for the suggestion. :-)

[@jeannettelawson3671]

Love your videos. I grow a LOT of garlic, I'm up to 14 varieties, and I planted 377 cloves this year. My favorite is the Kettle River Giant it's a spectacular specimen in size and flavor.

[@GrowVeg]

Wow - that's a lot of garlic!

[@budgieboy52]

I make garlic and ginger paste with my ginger and garlic. Equal quantities of ginger and garlic (i use about180g of each) put it in a liquidiser with a little water and whizz it up. That amount will usually fill a 15 cube silicon tray. Freeze it and after a day or so pop the cubes out and put into a zip lock back and put it back in the freezer. Each cube is about a tablespoon of ginger/garlic paste, great for Indian and Asian cooking. Having said that I use it in many other dishes that call for ginger and/or garlic.

[@GrowVeg]

What a fab idea! 😀

[@Pausereflectandbreathe]

Second time planting garlic and this year they finally grew taller and I'm excited! I love garlic mashed potatoes. Just boil peeled chopped potatoes and add salt, pepper and garlic. Wait until really soft. Save some of the water for later in case if it's too dry. Start mashing potatoes and add cream cheese. Done! Enjoy! 😊❤️🙏

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds divine - will give it a try. :-)

[@catherinemagee-l3x]

Oh I luv that too with a great gravy yum.

[@tripletcousinsjo]

SO glad I found your channel! Thank you for your clear and helpful videos.

[@GrowVeg]

Welcome to the channel!

[@lindas3832]

I make garlic infused oil and use it for sautéed vegetables.

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds delicious!

[@free2bfree583]

Excellent video. Answered all my questions. Thank you...

[@dn744]

Lots in my garden. Love fresh garlic

[@ohno248]

Thanks, Ben. This will be my first year planting garlic. I am nervous about it as a new vegetable gardener, but your video is helping!

[@GrowVeg]

It's a great crop to grow - not too tricky and very satisfying.

[@LCLand]

I saw a homestead video where they peel the garlic then put in a jar and cover with raw honey. Make sure garlic is covered. Mix daily. In 2 weeks and longer she says it’s an awesome remedy for flu colds and who knows what else. I’ve already tried it a few times and kicked whatever was trying to get me. She’s had some jars for years and it’s still good. Even better with age I think she said

[@GrowVeg]

Wow - that's a great idea!

[@eileen0902]

I am loving fermented garlic. While it requires some patience, it is delicious and can enhance all kinds of foods, from Asian cuisine to sauces. It develops a sticky, almost tarry consistency and a delicious sweet flavor. Can't get enough of it!!

[@GrowVeg]

Delicious Eileen!

[@nicolebuhler1691]

Made garlic scape pesto the first time last year, yum! Glad to know that garlic likes alkaline soil, at 7.5 here in Utah. You inspired me to label, trying 5 varieties from territorial seed this year.... It will be good to know which I love best! Thank you for your videos!

[@GrowVeg]

Good luck with them Nicole. Great to be able to try a few different varieties like that.

[@TiradeBombastic]

I love a pesto made with scapes! Delicious!

[@GrowVeg]

Yum!

[@HappyHealthyandFree]

I’m hoping to get some garlic to plant this weekend! Great video!!!

[@AtheistEve]

Thank you. I’m doing a spot of garlic planting this weekend! 🧄

[@michelledouglas8913]

Thank you. We just planted our garlic. Great info!

[@Mike-wj1ms]

Nice, good on ya

[@darylefleming1191]

I really enjoy this videos, straight to the point with useful information. Many of the vegetables can't be grow here in Hawaii because we don't have cool weather. Keep making the videos.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks Daryle, appreciate that - and will do. :-)

[@MrsMarybiz]

Love, love, love your videos and is that an (Aussie accent? Your excitement inspires me and I’m getting older (lol - notice I wouldn’t admit… Old)? Your best tip for me ( harvesting early so you can eat them raw - I’d like to infuse it into honey). The health benefits are amazing. ❤️

[@GrowVeg]

Garlic is sooo good for you. I'm British, but the accent compared to Aussie is easily confused. :)

[@debkincaid2891]

Everything I needed to know today! Thx, Ben

[@FromOurGarden]

Got a few in this week! I love the leaves! So yummy 😋

[@rosybiggs7661]

I use garlic in everything and have it growing yearly in my flower beds etc! This year I got some named garlic but forgot to put the names on them. Just love it in every thing and eat it raw daily! Can’t wait to see what I have planted. I chose some Russian and Ukrainian types due to my mother being from Russia. She would have been excited and I know she is anticipating their grown in the spring. S he is always with me in my gardening endeavors,

[@GrowVeg]

Loving your enthusiasm for garlic - it is the best vegetable!

[@jessegee179]

Great video thank you. I’ve just bought an organic bulb from the farm shop, I’ve kept a couple of cloves to sprout indoors, and the rest in the ground under a rain cover, hope it works. I’ve also found one at the back of the cupboard that was already sprouting, and popped that in too. Im off to find a video about growing my own turmeric, also just bought a tiny stem for 6 pence!

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds like there's lots to look forward to there! You may find our video on growing gingers (which include turmeric) useful by the way: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJDQon13lNWiopYsi=4XVg1WANFlFLCzQF

[@MsFresh619]

Planting out the last of my garlic this week 2nd time growing it

[@trevorrobinson8577]

Just love Garlic...

[@multi_misa72]

Make soft polenta, in a skillet lightly burn a big spoon of butter and as soon as you smell that butter burning ad to it yougurt in wich you added salted, freshly made garlic paste(3-5cloves). Use the butter yogurt as sauce for your pollenta. That's it, i grew up on that stuff, still love it, my wife, not so much.🤭🤙

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds totally delicious!

[@multi_misa72]

@@GrowVeg don't know why, but i'm crazy about the stuff.😁

[@francesbatycki404]

Got my garlic bulbs at our farmer’s market late last summer. It’s a Russian red, I think. Just started using. It’s great.

[@GrowVeg]

Pleased to hear that Frances.

[@moitan2965]

Too hot here they like snow!!

[@newpath.through.oldways]

thank you for the video, i started with 2 giant bulbs three years ago, i was up to 36 bulbs this year. however this past season i did a shotty job watering them, so my beautiful bulbs that i believe to be of the Music variety are now super small. lesson learned. i'm adding German White to my garlic stock this season. i'll be sure to water them thouroughly next year.

[@GrowVeg]

Yes, keep them watered in dry weather Karin.

[@only-vans]

plant on the shortest day, harvest on the longest day.

[@Satscape]

I had a go with supermarket (Tesco) garlic, they turned out to be hard-neck...and hardy. I cut off the "scape" (or flower-thing as I called it) and threw it away, didn't know it was edible! This supermarket-variety seems indestructible, it comes up in winter, through the snow!

[@GrowVeg]

I had good success with some Aldi garlic too.

[@gloriamortel3895]

Oh wow keep up the good work👩‍🌾 , greetings from Philippines 👋

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you - will do! Thanks for watching :-)

[@gloriamortel3895]

@@GrowVeg Your welcome 😊

[@likeakite]

Hey, thanks for sharing

[@AnyKeyLady]

I was looking on some websites about garlic and this video was embedded. I thought i would give an update on how it went trying to grow garlic for the first time. Some things i also learnt this year. I am in zone 9 in London. First frost is Jan 1 - Jan 10. I planted these at the beginning of Nov, thinking that i was too late. I think i may have been too early as they soon sprouted. With the even more mild winter and dry spring, come May, they started getting aphids. By June they were suffering and we ended up pulling them out at the end of June/ beginning of July. They were a bit small. Comparing the size of the bulbs you were using here, i was also disappointed in the size of the bulbs that we received and how many that were usable. I have also heard that some people store their garlic in the fridge before planting to help with the vernalisation process, where some seeds need to chill out before springing into life. So i am going to try that and plant later this time around and see how it goes. Three major things i have learnt the past few years doing "hard core" home veggie growing. 1) Know your OWN climate. That includes weather, height, sun alignments during the season and access to water in heatwaves and droughts (water butts, ground water and nearby stream levels) 2021 - Was very wet and windy. Our bedding area suffered but our containers flourish 2022 - Was very dry and hot. Main crops flourished overall. We covered our legumes with an old net curtain and moved our containers that were suffering into the shade. Mulching really does help but due to family issues, we were too late in acting but it still helped. Containers are more free draining than bedding areas, especially with those fabric pots, so mulch straight away. It helps keep warm in and retain water. 2) Know YOUR soil. No dig is great and all and you can do the PH tests but even with beds, what lies beneath is important, if not for plants but for it's access to water and for it to grow deeper. A decent bed will take a few years to establish before it just requires the topping up. I love my "Darlek" composter but find it is slightly too small and often have to offset it in either the crate wormery"spa" (as i call it) tiered system, or ends up in a builders bucket to either dry as brown layer or gets soggy. So this will be a project to get ready for next year. 3) Know YOUR enemies and choose YOUR battles. Weeds and pests. Whilst we are getting our neighbours bindweed and ivy issues under control, WE still have Marestail and now (our own fault) Wisteria roots to contend with. Mares/Horse tail was a lot easier this year. Not sure if the weather or our measures helped but it was less of a thing. The wisteria we moved out of the bed last year, when we expanded, didn't entirely get removed as it seems. Hopefully, the next layer will help in suppressing them. Pests- not so new aphids but in the wrong places. The Nasturtium was late to come up, which is our trap crop. Most of our marigolds died but some really took off big time! We also had white fly on the sprouts. Again late on action but we did seem to tackle both bugs with the homemade washing up liquid and vinegar. We have been luckily this year with hardly any snails and slugs. We always put the bugs in the composter, even caterpillars. As the temps dropped recently, we also got a flock? of shield/ stink bug larvae on everything in the bed. With the rain starting to split the tomatoes, it attracted loads? The little birds came back and had a field day on our spinach, now covered. Also, the rats and foxes are about. The rat traps don't work, so we have now put up a bait station away from the bird area. Potatoes, runner beans, asparagus and even in random places like the baby pear tree and a spot on the lawn were dug up. Will see. Talking of the lawn, since no mow May, we didn't mow as it was too dry. I has bounced back from dry dirt and weeds but tbh, it's good for a rest. The landscape of the lawn was never even as it was so different to now. We might get a little cultivator in just to level it out and start again. Hubby loves his lawn so hopefully that will motivate him into that project. We are also planning to install a proper trellis framework on the bedding area after being given the green light to measure up. Finally growing oyster mushrooms! It's in a box the width of the bath so fits well in the new bathroom. I wish i had checked that the bin bag was water proof before using in the cardboard box! Doh! Might use one of those underbred containers next. Our chilli's are now red. Think we might do a challenge before doing something more useful with them! haha I am also setting up some more experiments in the garden and in doors to keep me going as jobs die down. Thank you for your videos and keeping us inspired!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for your update and all your experiences and advice. :-) I hope you get a good harvest from your oyster mushrooms - they're very rewarding to grow!

[@edemyre8993]

Well done, Ben. Roasted garlic is the best and so simple...coat a whole, mostly peeled head with some olive oil, wrap in foil or put into one of those clay roasters, and pop into the oven next to the roast. Squeezed onto meat or bread it's just wonderful. Any thoughts about growing garlic in warmer climates? I'm in central Florida, not much cool weather here, do I stand much chance of a successful crop?

[@GrowVeg]

You may get some success if you store some bulbs in the refrigerator to start with - to try and mimic a winter. And then plant them. However, this may not be necessary - www.wikihow.com/Grow-Garlic-In-Florida

[@heatherkroo6062]

Good morning. You wanted garlic recipes, how about a garlic gravy! Mince fresh garlic, saute in oil or butter till lightly browned, add flour to make a rue, finally add chicken stock. Heat to boiling till thickened.

[@GrowVeg]

Oh yum Heather - that sounds like just my cup of tea, thank you!

[@shorelines5303]

Excellent content !! Have u ever tried foraging for Wild Garlic (grows in countryside Mid-March to Mid-June)? Fantastic used (washed, cut up) in home-made chick-pea hummus, together with roasted hazelnuts, lemon juice, olive oil, seasoning, pumpkin seeds. Whizzed in a blender.

[@GrowVeg]

Love wild garlic! I planted some in this video and it's now established and cropping well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnyVfXivn8-WbqMsi=0i2TW5DJkzGzRILB

[@jamesjdowling8744]

Another great video! Thanks for sharing. What exactly is "clean wood ash"?

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you. By 'clean wood ash' I mean ash from natural, untreated wood.

[@therelpher5345]

Who are you? You seem to know about these plants. I've seen you on these veggie thumbnails and I would just like to say that I am about to plant these beauties. I've made a garden in the way that Paul Gautschi made his garden..

[@GrowVeg]

I’ve been gardening most of my life. Garlic is always so worth growing. It’s such a fab, failsafe veggie!

[@NapodstawieBiblii]

WE GROW IT IN POLAND, THE BEST

[@francesbatycki404]

Thanks for using metric measurements.🇨🇦🇨🇦👍❤️ in addition to standard, that is….

[@GrowVeg]

We aim to keep everyone happy Frances :-)

[@sallywise8761]

Make your own garlic powder. Slice thinly then dry, either sun dry or in a dehydrator, then grind to a powder. Fresh garlic powder is so much tastier that the store bought stuff.

[@GrowVeg]

Excellent suggestion - love it! :-)

[@medusa1448]

About 3 years ago i decided to plant some garlic, i just bought some from a local supermarket and was ecstatic when a few months later i had a good harvest of garlic.This year idecided to plant organic garlic which i got from sainsburys, they have grown but the stems are so small literally like hair thin! What can i do to get them to grow bigger? Im a novice in gardening. I live in Yorkshire.

[@GrowVeg]

The risk with planting supermarket garlic is that the varieties planted are best suited to a different climate. They may not have had a proper chilling period too, if planted in spring. You will always get a lot more vigour from purpose-sold seed garlic. But keep those garlic watered in dry weather and in plenty of sunshine and they may eventually bulk out. :-)

[@izzywizzy2361]

I kept some hard neck garlic over from this year’s harvest which was magnificent and hopefully next year will be as well! I make up a big batch of garlic butter for the freezer, which is hugely convenient as well as hanging bulbs up in my shed …

[@GrowVeg]

Mmmmm... garlic butter! Yum!

[@bellamonique]

Thank you for this great instructional video. Could you please recommend an organic fertilizer for garlic. Thanks in advance!

[@GrowVeg]

You could add a general-purpose fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone at planting time.

[@BadarTVTrends]

Plant garlit now

[@bradbiker]

Sorry if I missed it, I am growing some hardnecks and ad you said you are to cut the scapes off, one they are dug up do you then store the same as the softnecks? Thanks :)

[@GrowVeg]

Yes, you can store them in the same way as softnecks. But they don't store for quite as long.

[@georginasell5952]

In UK, When is the best time to start planting cloves?

[@GrowVeg]

Mid October to December.

[@lostinfens]

Planted my garlic out in Oct, they're sprouting nicely mid Nov. I've tried seed & kitchen garlic over the years & the seed garlic has been the most disappointing for me. If anyone knows of a reliable variety, I'd like to hear about it.

[@GrowVeg]

Hopefully if it's now sprouted you should be onto a good crop.

[@theweirdworldofchoptopsawy9501]

What about Florida? Our winters are so spread out and are only in periods of days.

[@GrowVeg]

Yes you can, but choose a softneck variety of garlic, which is better suited to warmer climates, and plant as soon as possible so the cloves get some relatively cooler weather before spring. Hardneck varieties may need a period of chilling before planting.

[@theweirdworldofchoptopsawy9501]

@@GrowVeg very good. Thank you for your kind response!

[@dontnoable]

Lovely! Is there anything you can use for organic fertilizer that's not made from animals?

[@GrowVeg]

Usually having the soil prepared with plenty of lovely compost is enough, but you could also water on some diluted liquid seaweed concentrate during the spring/summer to give the crop a bit of a boost.

[@dontnoable]

@@GrowVeg Brilliant, thanks! I love your vids btw. Just trying to work out to veganise in one or two. When you planted 3 bulbs in the terracotta pot, did you use organic fertilizer there too? Last question as I'm sure you've got lots of veg to chomp!!!

[@tommycarr87]

Hi after planting would r should the garlic need feeding

[@GrowVeg]

If you have prepared the soil well then it shouldn't need further feeding.

[@Pixieworksstudio]

Thanks again for such an uplifting video! I have never tried elephant garlic because I can't buy it where I live, si I'm growing lots this year, as well as the usual garlic. Just a wee question... the tips are amazing in food, and to freeze or dehydrate for soups etc, can we cut them off for use, before we harvest. Thanks again!

[@GrowVeg]

Hi Jayne. I'd be wary of cutting too much of the greenery off before you harvest, but if the bulbs are formed and there's still plenty of green, then obviously go for it. Another option would be to simply plant shop-bought garlic cloves purely for fresh green shoots - they'd give a crop quite quickly and it would avoid compromising the garlic you're growing for bulbs.

[@Pixieworksstudio]

@@GrowVeg that's a great idea. thank you

[@MrCobbsalad]

Brilliant advice. I'm planting some this coming week , would you recommend covering with a leaf mulch or just leave the soil as is?

[@GrowVeg]

If winters are quite harsh where you are I would recommend covering with a leaf mulch. It will help to protect them somewhat from the very severe cold. There's really no harm in adding them anyway though - it's all good stuff!

[@Mombot101]

This video was 2 years ago so I hope this question gets answered. I successfully grew garlic last year for this year harvest but they didn't produce the outer protective layer and the died so I harvested them. They did not form an actual bulb. what did I do wrong?

[@GrowVeg]

This could be due to a number of reasons, such as lack of space, it being very dry/wet or a lack of sunshine. Also, garlic needs a period of cold weather - a good winter - for it to initiate bulb production, so if you had a very mild winter this might not have helped.

[@johncarter8620]

I've got bigger hard neck tennis ball to baseball size. IL/WI border. How do I share my method?

[@GrowVeg]

Hi John. Just leave another, new comment with a description of your method - it would be interesting to read it.

[@mommersteeg4]

I have been having issues with little black 'eggs' that seem to go in my garlic, leeks and onions. Do you know what it could be and how to prevent it?

[@GrowVeg]

Hmm, I'm not sure there if I'm honest Karina. It could possibly be the frass (poo) of slugs, but if it's inside the bulbs themselves then it's likely to be something else. If you see any maggots develop then you know you have onion root fly/maggot. Try checking out our pest guides for more: www.growveg.com/pests/us-and-canada/plant-problems/garlic-pests-identification/

[@le2584]

am i too late to plant my bulbs now-end Nov?

[@GrowVeg]

It depends on your climate. Certainly here in the UK it's fine to plant now, as well as in places with not very harsh winters - like the Pacific NW, for example. If your winters are severe, I'd maybe wait until very early spring now.

[@maureencallahan8618]

I've heard to plant tomatoes and garlic together to confuse pests. What I don't understand is then it's said u plant garlic in cold weather. I'm confused. Do u still just plant garlic with tomato and then just don't expect to get a good crop of garlic?

[@GrowVeg]

I guess you would plant the garlic in autumn/early winter, leaving space for your tomatoes, which would go in in the spring. The garlic would be well on their way to maturity by this point, so wouldn't be too impacted by the tomatoes.

[@maureencallahan8618]

Thank you!

[@flamingpieherman9822]

So this is my first time planting garlic period and I'm planting softneck garlic because I live in Florida. I watched another video and they said to cover it with hay. Do you recommend this or no? And how often do we water garlic?

[@GrowVeg]

Covering with hay is more recommended for colder climates. I don't think it would be necessary in your mild climate. As for watering, water whenever the soil dries out - enough to keep the soil moist but not overly saturated and sitting in wet.

[@flamingpieherman9822]

@@GrowVeg thank you!!

[@briankerr4512]

Funny thing. I stopped eating garlic and onions for a wile ... I found that people who did eat onions and garlic smelled horible , I could smell some people from across the room in some cases. When I started to eat garlic and onions again I could no longer smell the aroma from other people. is it just me ?

[@poshpaul55]

i like my garlic in currys and on beard and i eat it raw when have a hot bath with plenty of water

[@GrowVeg]

You should be very healthy Paul with all that garlic!

[@poshpaul55]

@@GrowVeg ha ha im following your tips on growing Garlic im experimenting with one blub that i had in the freezer and it's started to grow so i planted it in a pot and planted by the window to see what happens

[@sandrarichardson2713]

Really good video. I am just now going to venture into sowing this. I live along the Gulf coast here in Texas...zone 9a. Have ordered a variety called Texas Rose cause it will do ok with mild winters. Does anyone know of another variety or two that does well in this zone? Thanks everyone and Jesus bless.

[@GrowVeg]

Glad you've managed to find a variety suited to mild winters. I'm sure there must be others. I also wonder whether if you refrigerated other varieties for a month or so and then planted them whether this would work? I don't know the answer - but that could be worth investigating too.

[@sandrarichardson2713]

@@GrowVeg Thank you for your quick reply. I will try the refrigerator trick. Grateful for all your videos and your help. Jesus bless.

[@ogbrettski]

My plans were to grow garlic next season. As I look this Fall the seed companies I've have used sell garlic for Spring planting, not Fall planting, as per this video and the Garden Planner. What's the difference and perhaps why am I running into this? Live in US Midwest

[@GrowVeg]

Planting in the fall gives you a head start, and the bulbs get a good chilling period to spur them into growth. But if they are selling garlic for spring planting then I imagine they may have been pre-treated in some way to ensure they give a good crop, even without that chilling period.

[@janakafernando4283]

Do you add mulch to the soil before winter frost starts with garlic?

[@GrowVeg]

Yes, you can add mulch before the frosts start. The mulch can serve to contribute to the depth above the cloves. The cold will still get down there to help the clove do its thing.

[@RitaLadd-sy4kt]

Pineapple-Garlic Upside Down Cake. 2/3 c. butter 1 c. brown sugar, packed 20 oz can pineapple, drained 10 garlic cloves or more 18 1/2 oz yellow cake mix or use your own Preheat oven to 350. Spread butter over bottom of 13x9 pan. Sprinkle evenly with brown sugar. Arrange pineapple rings. Place 1 garlic clove in center of each ring. Prepare cake batter and pour over pineapple mixture. Bake 30-35 minutes, toothpick test. Cool 10 minutes. Turn out onto serving platter to serve, warm or cold.

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds like a very intriguing recipe Rita - thanks so much for sharing it. :-)

[@kevinu.k.7042]

A good tip I was given some years back. Keep some of your garlic back for next seasons planting. Garlic 'adjusts' to the local soil and climate and over a couple of seasons the size and flavour improves.

[@GrowVeg]

Great advice, thanks Kevin.

[@michaellippmann4474]

Great video Ben Thank you! I plant 250 - 300 cloves every fall (hopefully next week!) We love our garlic...all hard neck. Music and Rocambole are the varieties....we get nice big heads and this year was a banner year! My favorite garlic recipe (and the one that I reeled in my lovely wife of 32 years with) is 40 garlic clove roast chicken! Yep...you guessed it, stuff 40 nice big fat garlic cloves into the chicken and under the skin along with butter, fresh sage, salt and pepper and then roast at 375 for about 1 - 1 1/2 hours (depending on the size of the volunteer bird) I do mine now on our outdoor grill on a rotisserie! I cooked that meal for my wife 35 years ago as a first date at my place and she has fessed up that she was looking for a man who could cook (young lads take note here!) and the meal so impressed her that she made her mind up that evening that we would spend the rest of our lives together! Been cooking for her since we married 32 years ago! Well it worked! 😁 Have a great day and Thank you for the video! Mike 🇨🇦🍁👍

[@leslie-lynnesinkey1225]

Do the chickens actually "volunteer" to be included? If so, it must be some amazing recipe!

[@michaellippmann4474]

@@leslie-lynnesinkey1225 Hahaha...probably not...very good point! Volunteer was probably a wrong choice of words! Have a good evening! Mike 🇨🇦🍁👍

[@GrowVeg]

Wow Mike - that's a great story. And clearly your wife-to-be wasn't bothered about your garlic breath! How wonderful. She picked the right bloke clearly!

[@cindynott1]

Love your comment! My Uncle plants about 300 cloves yearly. This fall he planted Organic Music from Veseys Bulbs, from York, PEI. I'm planting the same. We live in Kamloops, BC. We have had to start with new stock, and new beds, as our area was hit with white rot, a garlic fungus. Where abouts in Canada do you guys live? Oh, and that chicken recipe is to die for!! I've made something similar to the 40 cloves roast chicken....50 cloves roast chicken...lol cheers...🇨🇦

[@michaellippmann4474]

@@cindynott1 Hi Cindy We are in Southern Ontario right on Lake Erie. I bought my initial garlic stock from Vesseys a few years ago. Music is my primary garlic and super happy with it! I get enough to replant and just enough to get through to scape season! Have a great day! Mike 🇨🇦🍁👍

[@lorisilva10784]

Garlic is our favorite!! We make a dipping sauce (for fresh baked french bread) made out of olive oil, splash of apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste. Mince as much garlic as you like and add to the mixture. Stir well. We often eat it by the spoonful if you feel a sore throat coming on as well. It's delicious!!!

[@GrowVeg]

That does sound delicious!

[@lennartmoraleslarsson3913]

We really like your video's. they bring us joy. we usually watch it while drinking coffee in the morning. we hope to have a garden like you in the future. also.. we call you worm-guy instead of growveg, because the first video we watched was you talking about worms and we loved it. greetings from sweden.

[@GrowVeg]

Ah brilliant! We loved making the worm video - something a bit different. So pleased you enjoy the videos and I'm honoured to be joining you for your morning brew. Keep watching guys, it's appreciated. :-)

[@leslie-lynnesinkey1225]

"Inchelium Red" is an heirloom variety from the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington State, and has been grown since before the arrival of the first Anglo settlers in the area (more than 300 years). It is also on the Slow Food "Ark of Taste" list of outstanding--but also endangered!--varieties at risk of being lost completely. Growing this variety not only helps preserve this important genetic resource, it also ensures you some GREAT garlic!

[@GrowVeg]

It's great when you can do your bit to preserve a rare variety AND have great tasting food.

[@apoloj.catala4830]

Wow thanks for sharing

[@sloanschwindt9718]

Where can you get the bulbs? Thanks!

[@Paulnjantogether]

Where would you get the bulbs to help keep the variety going ?

[@nadif8437]

Where could I acquire this variety.?

[@michelledunavant6125]

I love your upbeat personality and you explain things so well and make it so easy to garden. Thank you !

[@GrowVeg]

That’s very kind of you to say.

[@HuntFishJits]

I've got a garlic that's been in my family for 5 generations!! I brought it from Michigan to Oregon where it's growing incredibly well. Saved from a handful of bulbs into about 10 square feet of plants with 3 generations planted!

[@GrowVeg]

That's fantastic - I bet it tastes incredible.

[@lydiabrooks905]

That’s fantastic. I love to hear of plants going through generations. I thought I was doing well with my 30 year old rhubarb.

[@mbuhtz]

One of my favorite garlicky recipes is Mediterranean Pasta. Cook bowtie pasta until not quite aldente, reserve some pasta water. Meanwhile, saute 6-10 cloves of minced (or pressed) garlic in the oil from sundried tomatoes. Add the chopped sundried tomatoes and halved or sliced kalamata olives. Then add the pasta and some chicken broth (if bullion/concentrate, add the pasta water). Bring to simmer, add a ton of spinach and some feta. Cook until pasta is tender and sauce is saucy. Amazing immediately or as leftovers.

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds totally delicious Marie! Thanks for sharing this recipe. :-)

[@williamcollins4270]

I grow about 500 plants every year here on my homestead in Southern Vermont. Hardneck variety, a mix of German Hardy, Spanish Roja and others. I save about 15% of my harvest for seed and plant in mid-late October in soil amended with blood and bone meal and a little garden lime. I cover the cloves with a foot-thick blanket of straw and that way they endure the long winter snow cover. In spring I have to move the straw mulch back to let the young plants get up into the air. Once they are well established, I move the mulch back among the plants to reduce the weeds. I use alfalfa meal as a side dressing and fish emulsion as a foliar spray. Aside from what I use as seed, I use almost all the harvest during the year and only have a few bulbs left by the following July, when the new crop is ready. When a recipe calls for three cloves I use three bulbs. I am an allium addict. I tried shallots this year and they were a great success too. Always look forward to your videos and always learn a lot.

[@GrowVeg]

What a great system you have there William. And I don't blame you for 'misreading' cloves for bulbs!

[@williamcollins4270]

@@GrowVeg I did not mention my drying system. Once out of the ground, the garlic are spread on tarps on my garage floor for two to four weeks. Then I gather the garlic plants and tie groups of five plants together with twine near the top of their leaves. With a small wire "s" shaped hook, I hang the bunched garlic stalks from wires stretched across the garage. I have two fans playing on the suspended garlic for over a month, so no matter how humid it gets in late summer here, the garlic will dry and not mildew. By September I can trim off the now very dried leaves and the whiskers, gently brush off any remaining dry dirt from the bulb and hang the finished garlic in net bags in my basement.

[@LCLand]

Where are the recipes!?

[@ivankajuric919]

Bet you don't need any blood thinners in your life!

[@jessper3303]

@@williamcollins4270 with this method - how long do they keep? (I am in NY just over the border from Pawlet)

[@bonniecohen1219]

You're the best, Ben! I've learned so much from your gardening know-how and wisdom. Many thanks!

[@GrowVeg]

And thanks for watching Bonnie - so pleased you find these videos useful. :-)

[@benvoliothefirst]

@@GrowVeg Doing us Bens proud!

[@jeffmartin693]

that stick trick for the rows is a keeper!

[@GrowVeg]

Very simple but very effective Jeff.

[@chemskiesukvol.2covid19isbs]

I love how you look like a cross between Harry Hill and Harry Enfield lol

[@sh-hg4eg]

Nice name

[@plainsimple442]

For the best garlic, DO NOT leave garlic in the sun for more than a few minutes when harvesting, and do not bruise!

[@Jeff-rd6hb]

LOVE LOVE LOVE garlic! I cook a lot, so I use a lot of garlic. For years I've grown whatever soft neck variety I bought at the grocery store a long time ago, and it's always grown just fine. This year (actually 3 weeks ago) I planted several varieties of hard neck. The cool thing about growing garlic is that you get garlic to eat and more garlic to plant for the next year. As long as you keep the cycle going you'll never have to buy garlic for the rest of your life.

[@GrowVeg]

It's true - it's a great crop for keeping going and going, so long as you save some of the bulbs for re-planting.