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Is my garlic ready?

HeartinthedirtHeartinthedirt Posts: 300
in Fruit & veg
Or just ill? Started in autumn, in the ground since late March, started drooping turning yellow since about last week.

It's knowing what to do with things that counts - Robert Frost
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  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,165
    It's been a few years since l grew garlic, but the leaves still look a bit green to me. If memory serves, l used to lift in July, but it depends on whereabouts you are.
    I don't think they've been in the ground long enough to bulk up.
    I'm wondering if perhaps the leaves are suffering from a form of rust, but that's a guess.
    Which variety of garlic is it ?
  • HeartinthedirtHeartinthedirt Posts: 300
    Hi Anni. I'm in Liverpool, not exactly known for sunny, balmy weather but it's been so dry this spring. I don't think it's rust, onions right next to them are in glowing good health. Variety a total mystery. I did that thing the experts tell you not to do and bought an organic bulb from Aldi and it's done a million times better than the bulbs I bought from a nursery, which didn't really thrive! 
    It's knowing what to do with things that counts - Robert Frost
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,165
    The only other thing l can think of then is lack of warm, balmy weather in Liverpool  :)

    Seriously though, apart from the weather l really don't know, with luck a more knowledgeable and recent garlic grower will come along. 
  • HeartinthedirtHeartinthedirt Posts: 300
    Decided to leave them in til next weekend and then dig the most droopy one and see what's what. First year growing, so any results at all will be good! 😁 
    It's knowing what to do with things that counts - Robert Frost
  • EustaceEustace Posts: 2,116
    I harvest garlic planted in autumn around June/July. When many of the leaves turn yellow, it is time to harvest.
    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/comment/2375633#Comment_2375633
    Oxford. The City of Dreaming Spires.
    And then my heart with pleasure fills,
    And dances with the daffodils (roses). Taking a bit of liberty with Wordsworth :)

  • AlchemistAlchemist Posts: 273
    We have 4 different garlics growing at our allotment. One variety was turning brown and falling over- so dug one up to find they are fully mature. Now the whole lot is out! This is quite early for us! As you suggest pul one out. No other way to find out. 
  • tui34tui34 Posts: 3,306
    No, it is not ready.  @Eustace has given you good advice.  

    Plant garlic cloves on the shortest day of the year, harvest on the longest day of the year - rule of the thumb.
    A good hoeing is worth two waterings.

  • HeartinthedirtHeartinthedirt Posts: 300
    Couldn't resist 😂

    It's knowing what to do with things that counts - Robert Frost
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,968
    I wouldn’t expect it to be ready until early July. I don’t think the occasional brown outer leaves are anything to worry about. 
    Have they had any fertiliser?  Alliums are hungry plants. They need fertiliser with plenty of nitrogen. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • HeartinthedirtHeartinthedirt Posts: 300
    More lessons learnt for next year 🙄
    It's knowing what to do with things that counts - Robert Frost
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