[QUOTE=Barb_FL;747573]I did peel the cloves but they haven't sprouted. That is when I thought I did it wrong. I bought the soft neck type which is said to works best in hot climates.

I still have bulbs left and will try again. I stored them in the fridge so that accomplishes the cold part.

Thank for you for your response.[/QUOTE]

Barb, earlier this year I found a great site with info on growing garlic in the South. That's where I got the idea of pre-chilling it. According to this info you can just about grow any kind of garlic in the South by pre-chilling. We'll see. Mine has been in a little dorm refrigerator for 10 weeks at 43-46 degrees. I'm going to plant next week.

[URL]http://greyduckgarlic.com/Southern-Garlic-Growers-Guide.html[/URL]

Grey Duck used to sell garlic but doesn't any more. However they've left their website and all it's good info there for those of us who need it. That was really thoughty of them!

[QUOTE=Barb_FL;747573]I did peel the cloves but they haven't sprouted. That is when I thought I did it wrong. I bought the soft neck type which is said to works best in hot climates. [/QUOTE]


They don't sprout super fast. Also depends how old was the garlic. It needs some dormancy time, so if it's from another time zone and harvested in september for example it might be too new to sprout.

You will need to try some varieties until you will find one that matches your climate and pretreatment the best.

[QUOTE=Barb_FL;747568]First time trying to grow garlic.

After I separate the garlic bulb into the cloves, do I need to peel the cloves before planting?

Also, how long before you see a sprout?

Thanks for any info.[/QUOTE]

Here is a link to a source for all things garlic. I have planted mine this way and has always worked out fine:

[URL="https://www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com/planting-and-growing-the-garlic.html"]http://https://www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com/planting-and-growing-the-garlic.html[/URL]

Keep reading, there is a ton of information on this website (Gourmet Garlic Gardens).

I started with 6" between cloves and 10-12" between rows and had good results and nice sized heads those first couple of years.

Then I got greedy and wanted to squeeze more in, so for a couple of years went to 6" between cloves and 6" between rows. I had smaller and smaller heads each year with more losses to rot.

These last two years I settled on 8" all around and am back to really good harvests of medium/large heads, with 100% of the cloves sprouting and only two-three out of the 108 I plant that don't mature well.

I grow in a raised bed with rich soil, a thick layer of shredded oak leaf mulch, full sun most of the day, and automated drip irrigation.

Tossed together a few garlic spacing ideas in a grid pattern.

Imagine sunlight as the angle and shadow changes as it goes across the sky.
I personally like the one in the upper right side.:)

[ATTACH]90402[/ATTACH]

Thanks for the replies. I need to check out the links. The garlic was new - I had to wait for it.

But, so far 4 have now germinated so I guess I didn't kill it when taking off the cover.

I will keep posting as I have progress.

[QUOTE=Worth1;747749]Tossed together a few garlic spacing ideas in a grid pattern.

Imagine sunlight as the angle and shadow changes as it goes across the sky.
I personally like the one in the upper right side.:)

[ATTACH]90402[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]


I did a slightly staggered pattern in the next two beds. :yes: 7 at 6 inches apart, then 8 at 5 inches apart in the next row. Of course I planted the biggest cloves 6 inches apart and slightly smaller ones at 5 inches... so unfortunately it's not a true test of the 6 vs 5 spacing. Oh well... :twisted:

I always do the upper right example, in a 30" bed. Works great.
Shawn

[QUOTE=Worth1;747749]Tossed together a few garlic spacing ideas in a grid pattern.

Imagine sunlight as the angle and shadow changes as it goes across the sky.
I personally like the one in the upper right side.:)

[ATTACH]90402[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]