Timing is everything. You don’t just chuck a clove in the ground in April and hope for the best. That would be like turning up to a wedding in your pyjamas—technically allowed, but deeply weird. Plant your garlic in autumn, specifically October or November. This gives the roots time to sulk through winter before exploding into growth come spring.
If you miss the autumn window, you can plant in early spring (February to March), but brace yourself for smaller bulbs. It’s like ordering a full English breakfast and getting just the toast. Still good, but you’ll be disappointed. The key is to plant before the first hard frost, which, let’s be honest, could be anywhere from November to February in this country.
