planting garlic too late

I understand that garlic 'needs' to see a winter frost in order for the bulbs to swell the following summer.
Last year I planted elephant garlic in March and got large leeks (as expected?)

Again I forgot to order in the autumn and wonder if a week in the fridge would help? I can set the temperature anywhere between +1 and +11 C if that makes a difference.

if I do that should they be started off in a pot for a week or so first?


thanks Mike

 

certainly worth a try in view of last years failure........ but mine produced shoots be4 the frost so it growth may be triggered by daylight not frost

 

I've just bought some Elephant garlic & it says on mine to plant out before the end of January, as my beds aren't ready yet I'm going to put them in pots outside then transfer to the beds when they have shoots, I would of thought depending where you are in the country but if planted by the end of this month you should get some frost on it easily, March however possibly not

[ 20. January 2006, 01:43 PM: Message edited by: Gardening Newbie ]

 

Mine is sprouting in the cupboard Next lot in the fridge. I might put one or two in a pot to see what happens

 

My garlic have sprouted too, what kind of area do they need to grow? How close together can I plant the cloves? It's just ordinary garlic from the supermarket that I evidently didn't eat quick enough.

 

4-5 inches apart

 

good question hannah.

I've got some wild garlic in the house thats beginning to shoot. And i've absolutely no idea what to do next i.e. where & when to plant the shoots.

Guess they need an area in the garden thats gets good sun.

 

I would pop them into pots of 50/50 compost and perlite and put them in a light position, keeping them watered. Them when this current cold snap is over and a milder spell forecast, get them into the ground

Good luck