garlic questions!

[lotus.blossom]

I figured out that I have garlic growing in one of my flower beds. I've lived in the house for 2 years now and am just finding out as I thin out some plants. I harvested the scapes which were yummy! Then recently I pulled the plants and found that most of them had just one or two bulbs. I have no idea who planted them or when they were planted. What I'd like to know is if they will still be ok to eat? I have read that if you try and plant a commercial garlic clove they are sprayed with some kind of inhibitor. Maybe these were those kind?

Anyone have any experience with that? And I'd like to plant some more for next year. Anyone have advice for garlic in zone 5? Thanks!

[kathymuggle]

could it be wild garlic or leeks? I think they are common in the North.

In any event, I once had a garden that I let go to seed, I must have forgot about some of the garlic I had planted - because the next year there were all sorts of baby garlic! small, wispy and with a single or double bulb. I have had this type of garlic now for 5 years - every year I harvest some, and let some go to seed.

That being said, I am in zone 4b or 5a depending on the map you use - and i have sucessfully grown garlic for years.

Some time in October, before hard frost, separate garlic into cloves and plant in the ground pointy side up. Plant about 2 inches deep. Leave over winter. Use local garlic or stuff purchased from catalogues.

They will be one of the first things up in the spring. Harvest snapes and occasional leaves. Garlic is ready to harvest in late July, when 3 or so of the bottom leaves have turned brown. Harvest plants, and allow to cure in a dark dry place for 2 weeks.

Honestly, my thumb is not green (more of a khaki) yet I can grow garlic easily. It is an easy plant.

[lotus.blossom]

Thank you for weighing in! I decided to open one up and it was simply gorgeous and fragrant and purple! So I ended up peeling them all and I am planning to pickle them. I'm psyched to plant more in a couple months! Hopefully they will grow a bit bigger this time

ETA: I had a bit of a chuckle about your calling them "snapes" Freudian slip perhaps? (I am assuming you are a harry potter fan?)