Hi Folks - I know garlic is a winter crop but I want to grow it along the borders of my tomato and pepper gardens. If I plant some grocery store garlic now, what will it do? Nothing? Rot? Sprout?

I'd rather not wait until next fall to work on pest deterrants.

Speaking of which, anybody know where I can find tansy seed? Am sure I can find it on-line but is there a local source?

Thanks all.

Aw c'mon.....nobody wants to talk to me about growing garlic now? Don't make me go to That Other Site!

Mary...I think it's too late for bulb garlic, but how about substituting garlic chives?

Will they keep bugs and other pests away?

I don't know...have to do a little research on that one.

I guess I'll have to wait to use garlic to control pests until next season.

Mary, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Why not plant some garlic now; it's not like you'll lose a lot of $$ if it doesn't work. Who knows? It might.

Alma has a good ponit there!

Agreed - will do

McP - I planted garlic in the spring once before I knew better. It grew lotsa green tops but no bulbs, so if the tops are the deterrent you should plant some now...

Chives will work. I found some info that is interesting:

http://www.ghorganics.com/page...

http://www.ehow.com/facts_4814...

and this one

http://ezinearticles.com/?Plan...

and then this paragraph from some totally scientific kinda guy:

Abstract:

The Invention relates to a method for repelling pests, in particular insects, larvae, spiders or aphids, from a plant, in particular from a tree or bush, wherein the method comprises making a hole down to the root zone of a plant and putting a natural insect repellent composition that contains at least garlic and/or an extract thereof in this hole. As a result of the method of administration according to the invention a homogeneous distribution is achieved by take up of the composition via the roots. In addition, the invention also relates to an insect repellent composition with an enhanced activity by combining the garlic with one or more of seaweed extract, soya oil, aloe vera, nut leaf extract, parsley extract, African Marigold extract, Nepeta extract and Urtica extract as a result of which a fungicidal and/or antifungal action, improved take up and/or improved vitality of the plant is achieved.

And there you have it.....all you need to know about garlic companion planting.

I dunno know about the 'scientific' credentials of whoever posted that. It does make me wonder if I could deter the #&*%$# spider mites and aphids by spraying the plants with eau de garlic.

Mary,
Plant some Society Garlic. It's stinks like he!! and has pretty flowers and leaves. Supposed to work as a companion planting.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/...

Good idea....got any tubers you need to split off?

I don't grow the stuff. Can't stand the smell! I used to have some, I thought if I just didn't brush the foliage or mess with it I'd be okay. Wrong. It stinks too much for me if I just get near it. But I don't like garlic.

Whenever I have garlic that is sprouting, I stick it in the ground. I may not get big bulbs, but I get at lease one fresh and tasty large bulb that I can use in my cooking. I have a few that have been in the ground 2 years now, I wonder if they have bulbs?

I planted several clove's off a head of elephant garlic last fall and dug one up about an hour ago.

As you can see its going dormant for the summer.

Cant wait to cook this up and use it as a spread on bread.

When's happy hour?

My mom has garlic growing EVERYWHERE... she just kind of throws it in...