My garlic tops were dying off, butI have tiny garlic to sho for it what did I do wrong?

Question

I put garlic between the hostas, and lilies my mom grows, and the leaves died back, what did I do wrong?

Answer 1

Garlic needs to be planted in a vegetable garden not with the ornamentals. They need sun, fruphed up soil, proper chemistry and water. Such different plant needs planted together don't work well. Garlic needs to be planted in the fall...it is a root crop and depending on the temperatures, you've got to plant in the fall for harvest in the late summer early fall the next year.

A double dug bed with proper nutrients for root growth and planted in an area where the soil doesn't freeze below a few inches is critical. Ornamental beds are pretty 'used up' with nutrients, compacted and part of a little ecosystem not very amiable for vegetables unless you understand soils and fertilizers.

I plant garlic every spring because everything is frozen solid during the winter here in well prepared soil meant for garlic, onions, shallots. Shallots are impressing me big time! New plants going through freezes and hot days and back to freezing and they are also in a raised bed, like a pot! One of those fabric 'pots' and they are doing very very well. Very vigorous. My zone is 1b. Thrilled I can grow shallots. I am soon to have a completely self sufficient greenhouse where we can grow garlic, asparagus, artichokes, kiwi...tomatoes even during the winter.

Answer 2

Based on your previous posts, I would say it's because you planted your garlic in spring, only 3 months ago, and you used store garlic that was sprouting, and not seed garlic bred to your local conditions.

Spring planted garlic is always going to be puny in comparison to winter planted garlic because it's the cold that simulates bulb formation.