Garlic going to seed

[barrowbob]

First time trying garlic - planted it out in mid November and got good leaves and strong stems but now see that every one of them appear to be going to seed, is this normal or has something affected them like too dry/wet/hot/cold?  Should I leave them in or lift them all now and freeze them rather than lose the lot?  I had expected to loosen them in a few weeks and let them dry off before storing in the shed.

[barrowbob]

[Robert_Brenchley]

Take off the flower stems and it should be OK. If it isn't ready to lift yet, it very soon will be.

[barrowbob]

Thanks Robert - do I take them out as near to the bulb as possible or a bit higher?

[tim]

Just nip the thingy off!!

[Robert_Brenchley]

Nip it off as low down as reasonable; the stem will go on growing anyway.

[barrowbob]

Left about 6-8" so that if they do work out and dry OK I have enough left to plait them for hanging. 
Thanks all.

[djbrenton]

Sounds like you're growing hardneck garlic which does grow a stem with a seed head on top. They are called scapes and are considered a delicacy.

[barrowbob]

Don't know what variety/type they are.  We brought the bulbs back from a supermarket in France last back end but they were sold for eating rather than planting, hence no variety.  I've cut them back now so I'll wait and see how they do.

[Tee Gee]

Mines are ready for the pot as you can see;



Thats a few shallots along sides them.

[Yuet_Lee]

Wow it's lovely them garlics & shallots! Well done tee gee ;)

[Robert_Brenchley]

This is my Solent Wight, which I've just lifted along with several buckets of ground elder, which I'm very glad to be rid of!

[shirlton]

Hi there when is the best time to plant garlic and are the ground conditions the same as with onions

[Hyacinth]

About November's the best, tho some can be planted up to early spring, but best to get them in so that the winter low temps can do their stuff with them - without a period of cold they may not cove. Yep, same soil conditions as onions. :)

[shirlton]

cheers

[supersprout]

This is my Solent Wight, which I've just lifted along with several buckets of ground elder, which I'm very glad to be rid of!

oo just seen this Robert, they look real healthy! The leaves on mine were all brown and limp when I lifted them - must be the ground elder mulch ;)

Shirlton - if you plant in November (best if you can), then mulch with autumn leaves to minimise frost damage - it's what the professionals do!