Alice Fowler writing in the Guardian Magazine last November urged me to plant my garlic bulbs early to ensure a fatter growth and become established before the winter set in.
Full of good intentions I tried to buy some Isle of Wight Garlic at our local garden Centre, Coinross at Taurus Crafts near Lydney. They had sold out! Too late so resolved to start looking earlier in 2018..
Eventually I sourced some from the internet and they arrived, cloves separate, in a small packet. I left them in the utility room until I felt inclined to plant and more time passed. By Christmas they were sprouting, desperately trying to escape from the package. A glance outside at the snow suggested now was not the best time so armed with some toilet rolls I went into the greenhouse and planted them in some rich compost, covered the tray of bulbs to protect against hungry mice and..yes forgot about them.
Two weeks later they had gone bonkers, growing over 10cm a piece and brushing against their lids. Now what do I do? It is late January now – my cold frame is under construction. .so await until next week when warmer weather is promised.
Gardening in a Jungle 