Garlic

Ensure the soil is well-draining to prevent winter rot. Dig in compost or well-rotted manure to improve structure, ideally early October to late October. Work the soil to a fine tilth and remove any weeds.

Plant individual cloves with the tips just showing above the soil, spaced 15 cm apart in rows 30 cm apart. Firm the soil gently around them to eliminate air pockets. This is best done late October to early November.

Keep the area weed-free, as garlic competes poorly for light and nutrients. Apply a mulch of straw or compost to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Do this early November to mid-November after planting.

If growing hardneck varieties, snap off the curly flower scapes in late spring to direct energy into bulb growth. Do this late April to late May when scapes appear.

Lift bulbs when the foliage starts to yellow and fall over, typically late June to late July. Use a fork to loosen the soil and avoid damaging the bulbs.

Dry the harvested bulbs in a well-ventilated, shaded spot for 2–3 weeks until the skins are papery. Trim the roots and foliage before storing in a cool, dry place. Start curing late July to mid-August after harvest.