GARDEN ADVICE

On this page I will be giving you random garden advice as I think of topics.  For those of you in the Northern Hemisphere some of my advice may come at the wrong time of year for you (e.g. Garlic Planting) but you will be able to use it when the season is right where you are.  Smiles..

PLANTING GARLIC - Traditionally garlic bulbs are planted on the shortest day of the year but they can be planted up to a month earlier, depending on your climate.  If it's very warm where you are you are best to wait until mid-winter.  Preparation of the soil if the key.  Garlic loathes heavy claggy soil!  Weed your chosen area thoroughly, dig in plenty of good compost and sheep manure pellets (or other aged manure) then leave the ground for 2-3 weeks before planting.  Choose seed garlic from a garden centre or hardware store rather than supermarket garlic (this has been treated to stop it sprouting, eeeek).  Plant your garlic cloves pointy bit up, to just less than twice the depth of the size of the clove.  Firm the soil gently and water in.  During the growing season keep well-watered especially at the beginning of summer.  Garlic needs a month of less than 10 degrees C to really do well but don't let that put you off giving it a go.