Grow garlic, an easy crop with no dig, hard or softneck, and tips for harvest

Easier when you have control of weeds, see my other videos for advice on that with no dig.
I show the two main types of bulbs, plus elephant garlic which is not a 'true garlic' and tastes of leek.
Dates here apply to zones approx. 6-10, I am zone 8.
Garlic is prone to rusty leaves and see how I manage to reduce rust. Harvest early rather than late and I show why.
I show an easy way of storing garlic for many months of use.
Thumbnail photo is a garlic harvest at my previous garden Lower Farm, Somerset on 25th June 2011.

[OffiBeats]

Never would have thought that watching garlic being harvested & planted reduces stress

[MVIsland]

This is absolutely the BEST gardening can not get any more expert information than right here. This is my one stop gardening youtube channel!

[nataliehornfeldtloubier]

Hello from Sweden, Charles. I recently found out that all you need to do to inhibit rust on garlic, celery, etc., is to neighbor them with broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, etc. And the garlic returns the favor by inhibiting fungus. I'm truly enjoying your show, as you give wonderful advice and tips for a slightly colder climate. I live in zone 6, but it's not much adjustment. Keep up the amazing work!

[blueexpresstv]

I love the way he narrates and explains with a smile... EVERYTIME.

[laurabartoli]

I just realised Mr Dowding reminds me of how my grandfather used to talk and explain everything about his plants as I helped him in the garden... thank you for the memories.

[johnamato]

I've watched this so many times. The way you flow through and explain each type is effortless, and done in basically one take. What an inspiration. Very thoughtful presentation.

[diyfferent]

Our favorite gardening channel on youtube!

[HollyMarsh]

Rewatching this in 2021, as we creep closer to garlic planting season in Michigan.

[teefawnzee]

He was so excited to talk about the elephant garlic 😆 I love it

[SK-ltso]

Garlic is an easy, great vegetable to grow.

Animals leave it alone. You can eat the flower, (scapes), use the seed-pod for cooking. Grows tall so out-competes weeds.Keeps well.

Very much "plant and forget"

[splash]

Wow those elephant garlic are massive!
I live in Canada, but my family are originally from Italy. My aunt brought garlic back from Italy in 1973, and we are still planting the same garlic yearly!

[Jackie-rccj]

My New favourtie gardening channel, glad I found it. Even though I live in Australia and my garden is miniscule. Inspirational gardening. thankyou !!

[curtdunlap]

Awe! Young scapes sauteed in butter or olive oil are delicious and delightful! 😋

[jenniewilliamsmural]

Love to Charles and his family - how much I've learned - its phenomenal and a gentle revolution.
Warmes regards Jennie

[TheMoreYouGrow]

Charles I just want to tell you how much I love watching your videos and how much you’ve done for me. Your channel and videos are a big influence on the types of things I do on my channel. Just wanted you to know how much I appreciate what you do, the quality of your videos, and how you inspire me to grow my channel my channel further. Keep up the great work sir!

[Green.Country.Agroforestry]

I made a planting aid for softneck garlic, consisting of a piece of plywood 30"x37", with holes cut out in a hexagonal packing pattern .. this lets me dibble in 27 plants within that space, each one spaced 4" apart.  I made my dibber out of a 1 1/4" dowel, and, being rather lazy, I did not cut it off .. this was quite fortunate, as I discovered that it is far easier to do the work standing.

[simplifygardening]

Charles, The bulbils can be used to grow new Elephant Garlic. But its a two year period, In the first year if you plant them in October the first growing year they will grow into what's known as a flat. Then the second year so leave them over winter like you did with these and you will get full bulbs from them, Its a two year process but if you have spare ground to put them in its a way to increase your stocks while not taking all your eating cloves. Tony

[outdoorguy]

Mulch with fresh grass clipping will remove the rust. Lack of slow release nitrogen.

[PetalsonthePavingSlabs]

I look forward to my Mr Dowding fix, it feeds my brain and my soul. Thank you, as ever another great video.

[rosem]

I live in Israel. For now I can only do container gardening. We mostly have garlic from China, which I somehow don't like. Last year I found fresh garlic in the supermarket so I snatched a few for eating but also for planting. I put a head of big cloves in the fridge and planted in November. Our winters are, of course, much less cold and wet than the UK, but this year it was totally springy, as temps were around 20C most of the time!
I planted 6 big cloves, all of which sprang up in 3 days in November. In the last few days I noticed one of the necks was bending at the base. So I decided to give in to temptation and dug it up. My first garlic ever! A whole head! small, but the cloves seem pretty big, which I love. I'm so happy. I'll leave the rest to grow some more, of course.
Thanks for the info, it's so helpful.