A garlic growing question....

[Garden Manager]

I always grow a crop of garlic and have just planted out the cloves for next years crop. I know the plants will soon grow but i dont particularly like the apparent empty bed that you get until then. It always seems a bit of a waste of space!

I was wondering then if it was possible to plant a catch crop of say winter salad plants (winter lettuce, mustard, mitzuna etc) over the top of the garlic to make use of the space before the garlic needs it. it would also keep weeds down and protect the soil from rain damage.

Can anyone tell me if this is a good idea or will it harm the garlic crop?

Thanks

[Garden Manager]

[saddad]

Most "bulbs" naturally come up through cover... eg Grass. If you took it off once they got going can't see it being a problem! Might get slug damage though!
:-\

[telboy]

Sounds like a good idea GA.
Garlic developes root system during the winter and, like onions, are gross feeders during the growing cycle. If your soil is in good heart then the cloves shouldn't be affected.
Let us know how things turn out!

[Garden Manager]

Thanks. I thought it might be worth experimenting just to see.  The leaf crop should be finished in spring, then the garlic can have the rest of spring and early summer to grow away on its own.

Will try and remember to let you know how i get on.

[Hyacinth]

Thanks. I thought it might be worth experimenting just to see.  The leaf crop should be finished in spring, then the garlic can have the rest of spring and early summer to grow away on its own.

Will try and remember to let you know how i get on.

And we'll try and remember to remind you ;D Sounds a good idea.