Is this garlic bolting?

[Zech]

I know it's a bit early to be harvesting garlic, but I noticed the leaves changing - they seem to be developing a stem. Is it bolting and if so should I dig it up as soon as possible, or is it already too late?



I tried digging a couple up, and they were medium sized, but not divided into cloves. I thought overwintering them was supposed to encourage the division - they certainly had plenty of winter this year

[Odsox]

They look perfectly normal to me, they don't look like they are bolting either as they normally have a long(ish) stem.
The yellow leaves could mean that they have been dry at some point, or they need a feed (garlic and onions benefit from a dose of fertiliser in late spring) or they have grown all that they have decided they are going to.
Mid summer is the usual harvesting date and that is only 3 weeks or so away, believe it or not.

[gregorach]

Yeah, looks perfectly normal to me too. The leaves on mine always start yellowing, but it doesn't seem to be a problem.

When they start bolting they throw up a tall flowering stem with a bulbous bud.

[locum76]

I hope thats not black mould at the bottom of the stalk.

[Zech]

I pulled one yesterday and it hasn't started to divide either.

Oh, so they don't divide until right at the end? I hadn't realised that. Thanks for your advice, all. I'm now much reassurred about them not bolting, but worried about black mould. I think it's just soil on the stalks, but if it is mould, is that fatal?

[chickenchargrill]

I thought black mould was very rare in the field and occurred when harvesting in damp conditions or improper storage? And I thought it was on the bulbs not the stems?

[Millymollymandy]

Mine are always yellowy at the ends like that but they've actually got rust now. Never mind cos I had a scrabble under the soil and they are nice and fat and already ready to be pulled for use as wet garlic.

Now what do I do with all those unused bulbs from last year's crop?

[Odsox]

Now what do I do with all those unused bulbs from last year's crop?

You crush a clove every now and then and put it in your chickens water dish, supposed to prevent intestinal worms and give all round protection for other nasties.
Garlic spray for green/black fly ?
Decide that you will either grow less next year or eat a darn site more ?
All of the above ?

[gregorach]

Pass 'em on to your friends - last year's home-grown garlic is still usually better than shop-bought, assuming you've stored it properly. God knows how long that stuff spends in storage...

[Millymollymandy]

Mine's usually the same - if I run out and have buy it at this time of year it's all got green sprouts in the middle too.

Not sure if I want garlic breath chickens giving me a kiss.

Might try the spray if necessary but usually try not to spray anything other than soapy water which is more of a tool to squidging rather than killing the actual aphids! I don't think I have that much left actually, maybe 4 or 5 bulbs but that's better than not growing enough.

[gregorach]

Mine's usually the same - if I run out and have buy it at this time of year it's all got green sprouts in the middle too.

My stored garlic from last year still isn't showing much sign of sprouting. I think keeping in dry (as in low humidity) might be the key. Ideally cold as well, but given the choice between the two, dry is much more important.

[locum76]

I thought black mould was very rare in the field and occurred when harvesting in damp conditions or improper storage? And I thought it was on the bulbs not the stems?

I've seen it start prior to harvesting and I've seen it creep up the stem. Careless weeding can start it off if the roots get disturbed. If you react quick and remove any mouldy plants you can stop the spread.

It's probably not blackrot in this case, I'm just sensitive to it after some volunteers wrecked part of a crop last year.

[oldfella]

Yep, just went past our place at a fair old clip, thats the last you will see of that I,m afraid.

[MKG]

Took me a while, though

Mike

[Millymollymandy]

Me too, I'd say Eddy was on the ball and we're not actually!