Garlic ( Hard Neck) Bulblets

**Durgan** · 05-30-2011, 08:55 PM

30 May 2011 Garlic bed. 30 May 2011 Garlic bed

Garlic produces a seed at the end of the scape formed. This seed is called a bulblet. It is an exact clone of the clovers formed underground. It is impossible to get new types of garlic since all seed garlic is sterile. The bulblets can be used to produce cloves, but they have to be grown about three years to get the cloves of a useable size.

The pictures depicts the growth of plants from the cloves of second year bublets. There were three small clovers produced from the original bulblet last year. The plants are decidedly smaller than the plants grown from robust cloves on the left of the bed. Of course, the size of the cloves and the number produced will be determined at harvest time in July.

Some literature suggests that larger clovers (or bulbs) are produced from large cloves. To test this assertion, the plants at the rear of the second year bulblets are grown from the smaller cloves from typical bulbs. Harvest time will indicate whether this is a true statement. At present the smaller clove plants are essentially the same size as the plants from larger cloves.

The reason for this experiment is: It may be economical to grow garlic from bublets, since about 15% of the marketable cloves have to be utilized for seed using the typical method of growing. My test is to determine feasibility.

**frugal-fannie** · 05-30-2011, 09:14 PM

Your Garlic bed looks fantastic. I am trying minimum container gardening and I actually put garlic all thru my flower beds to keep away bugs, but have never harvested it. Any hints are appreciated.

**Durgan** · 05-30-2011, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by frugal-fannie

Your Garlic bed looks fantastic. I am trying minimum container gardening and I actually put garlic all thru my flower beds to keep away bugs, but have never harvested it. Any hints are appreciated.

Plant in the Fall (October). Harvest about the 5 of July. If all goes well there should be about five six substantial sized cloves in each bulb. Simply dry well for about two weeks and cut off the top about two or three inches from the bulb. The bulb should keep about six to eight months in a cool area (cold room).

I have serious reservations about garlic discouraging bugs. It may discourage people from close contact, depending upon the testosterone level of the subjects.

**frugal-fannie** · 05-30-2011, 11:09 PM

I have heard you tap down the heads a certain time before harvest is this onions or garlic. I have had great results in my planters of flowers discouraging whatever is eating it.

**Durgan** · 05-31-2011, 06:15 AM

Originally Posted by frugal-fannie

I have heard you tap down the heads a certain time before harvest is this onions or garlic. I have had great results in my planters of flowers discouraging whatever is eating it.

Smashing down the green stems of onion is an old wives tale and achieves nothing beneficial in a typical growing season of sufficient length. With onions the tops should fall over on their own accord and become somewhat soft at the area above the bulb before pulling. If left too long in the ground the onion bulb will take up moisture and tend to rot.

You will never know for sure if garlic is discouraging insects. It is often only conjecture unless carefully tested under controlled conditions. Difficult to do!