garlic coming up too early?

16 years ago

I live right on the edge of zone 5 and 6, 65 miles north of NYC.

My first year of growing garlic was a huge success, and last July provided giant, organic purple cloves which are still being enjoyed now.

I planted in late October last year. Following that successful plan, I once again planted during the last week of October this year.

We have had a mild fall. A day before Thanksgiving, I strolled past the raised beds where I deposited 150 heads a month ago. There were at least 25 or more green shoots sticking up an inch or two from the 4 inches of mulch I deposited on the beds. This alarmed me.

Is my crop for next July in jeapordy? Colder weather will surely kill those shoots. Will the bulbs take the kill, go dormant, and still provide the crop I was hoping for?

Any info/opinion would be greatly appreciated.

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Comments (3)

bloosquall
16 years ago
Sounds to me you're doing everything just right. As it gets colder the top growth will slow to a stop, the green that is exposed may take some damage but not enough to hurt the main plant. you did good buy covering them after planting.

-bloo
kirchren
16 years ago
I am experiencing the EXACT same thing. I planted the garlic when I usually do, but this fall is so warm. The plants are poking up about 3 inches over the ground up leaves. I am so worried that once the snow starts to fly that these garlic plants are goners. I hope the somehow survive. I've never had this happen before.

Karen
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wcthomas
16 years ago
Before settling on a mid-November plant date I had several years with top growth up to 10" above the mulch. While cold winters and snow caused the top growth to get all twisted and gnarly, they all survived and put up new growth in the spring without problems. Don't worry, garlic is hardy stuff and you should be fine.

TomNJ