I've never used chicken wire, but IMO it would be a mistake to allow garlic to grow through it at ground level. First because it could damage the stalks as they grow, and second because it would make harvest difficult.

Not saying that it couldn't happen, but I've never had squirrels dig up garlic cloves.

You might get more responses if you post your question on the Allium Forum, where garlic is often discussed. There is an active garlic thread there now.

Have you mulched it yet? If you mulch it pretty soon with 3-4" of straw or shredded leaves then you can place the wire over the top of the mulch. If you have a lot of squirrels and nut trees like I do they will continue to bury nuts until the ground freezes.

You didn't say what part of the world you live in. If you are in an area where the ground won't freeze then the garlic may continue growing through the winter in which case I wouldn't leave the fencing on too long.

I use welded wire fencing to cover my beds as a squirrel deterrent.

Zeedman damaging the garlic as it grew was my fear as well. LoneJack I am in KY zone 6b. We typically have very mild winters. I call it the muddy season. Occasionally we will get an ice storm but not often. I think I will remove the wire. Thanks to you both!

Squirrels may dig in freshly tilled soil but the garlic itself does not attract them. Since its been two weeks you can remove the chicken wire.

tj

Thank you. I did forget to mention that I haven’t mulched it yet. The leaves have barely changed yet, so as soon as I can collect some I will mulch it with leaves at that point.

I've had squirrels dig up cloves and replace them with nuts and leave the clove sitting on top of the soil.

Thanks LoneJack. I will try what you suggest and lay the wire over the straw or leaves. Hopefully leaves to deter them.

make sure your leaves are chopped. My husband mows our leaves into a bagger. If you leave the leaves whole, they will form a mat that the garlic can't poke thru or at least I don't think it will. I had smothered spring bulbs one year because of a thick layer of leaves. I prefer straw. It's selling around here for about $10 a bale and can last more than one season. And make sure it is straw not hay.

Defrost, thank you! I absolutely agree. My husband has a leaf blower that can be put on reverse and “chop” the leaves up into small bits. Our straw is $7 a bale and the majority of my veggie garden is mulched with that. I am just trying to utilize the leaves since we have so much.