Question
I use onion and garlic frequently in cooking.  I would like to know the best way to start these vegetables in my garden.  Also, do these two do well in containers?

Thanks for the advice,

Kathy

Answer
Kathy, garlic is planted by separating the cloves of a garlic bulb, and planting them just below the soil with the base down.  I prefer to plant them in late fall.  They can also be planted in early spring once the soil is dry enough to be worked.  However, the difference in bulb size definitely favors planting them in fall.  This way the roots establish over the winter, and then are fed by the foliage in spring. You can also harvest them much sooner by planting them in the fall.  

One word of caution regarding garlic.  Never use cloves from bulbs bought in grocery stores.  They are normally sprayed with a growth deterrent that will prevent them from producing bulbs.  Always purchase garlic cloves from your local nursery.

Onions should be planted in early spring.  I purchase sets from the local garden center.  They mature very quickly.  You can also start onions from seed, but they take very long to produce a sizeable enough bulb to harvest; usually 120 days or longer.  That is why sets are much more desirable.  You can purchase onion sets at any reputable garden center.

I hope this answered your question. Please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike