Why grow garlic?

Garlic is good for you and it's easy to grow, so why not give it a try?

Garlic is not only an essential kitchen ingredient, it also has significant health benefits. Research has shown that it helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, can reduce the possibility of strokes and thrombosis, and has some anti-biotic, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.

How to grow

Garlic is supplied as bulbs (except Elephant Garlic, which is supplied in large cloves) Separate the bulbs into individual cloves and plant them just below the surface in free draining soil ( it is essential the cloves are not waterlogged), with the pointed end upwards. Space 10cm apart and with 15-20cm between rows.

The best garlic is produced from Autumn planting, and all of our varieties except our special Spring Planting Garlic are suitable for this. Plant as above from early October to early December.

Wight Cristo and Elephant Garlic, can also be planted from January to early April, and Thompson & Morgan also offer a specific Spring Planting Garlic.

Feed with Onion Fertiliser, or a general purpose fertiliser, in March and mid-May, keep free of weeds, and water if the soil is dry. Bulbs should be ready to harvest when the foliage turns yellow-brown, usually June to July, according to variety.

How to choose the variety for you

In recent garlic trials Purple Moldovan was voted the best all-round variety and is perfect for the finest garlic bread. Early Purple Wight is the earliest to mature, often by end of May.

Choose Wight Cristo if you want a garlic which will store for a long time. Elephant Garlic has the mildest flavour and is ideal for roasting. For something a little different try Lautrec Wight with a white outer skin and deep pink cloves, widely viewed as France's finest.

Onion Fertiliser

Specially formulated granular fertiliser of high phosphate to feed your onions, shallots and garlic through the growing season to promote better bulb development and maximise your crop.

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