My garlic is sprouting

[PositronicRay]

Planted a couple of weeks ago and it's sprouting already. I though the cloves were supposed to send roots down otherwise remain pretty dormant until spring. Have I planted it too early?

[ChrisnChris]

They'll be fine, did you put some sand under them for drainage, it helps.
They should* be planted this time of year, Sept, Oct Nov.The cold over winter splits the growing bulbs into cloves.

• not all varieties.

[PositronicRay]

ChrisnChris said:

They'll be fine, did you put some sand under them for drainage, it helps.
They should* be planted this time of year, Sept, Oct Nov.The cold over winter splits the growing bulbs into cloves.

• not all varieties.

No sand (I realise my mistake now), dug some compost in, quite heavy clay so hoping it'll be okay. If not sand next yr.

[Pheo]

Might be worth an open closh to keep the worst of the rain off so they don’t rot if you are on clay.

Compost will have broadly the same effect as sand so not too much to worry about. Some recommend covering anyway in Jan/Feb to avoid some of the airborne pathogens.

[Craikeybaby]

That reminds me I need to plant some! Ours usually sprout well before Xmas and have been fine.

[bomb]

Planted mine a few weeks ago and they are sprouting too. Its still quite mild, so I think thats helping them grow. The green leaves are about an inch and a half tall.

[Gren]

It's normal. They usually come up a few cm before the cold weather sets in.

Planted mine last weekend. No sand - never heard of that one. Mine are in raised beds and get a load of compost chucked in every year so probably drain well anyway.