Amkuska's 2025 Garden

AMKuska

Garden Master
Joined
Jan 25, 2014
Messages
2,341
Reaction score
5,827
Points
317
Location
Washington
I went out to check my garlic bed to see if they'd sprouted much and...and...something ate them?

At first, I was puzzled because I couldn't find any garlic where I planted, but thought maybe a storm had covered them over. Eventually I did find one though, pulled up and with bite marks in it. I'll post pictures tomorrow. Perhaps you guys can help me ID the thief.

Is it too late to replant and cover with a frost cloth to keep out the nibblers?
 

Branching Out

Deeply Rooted
Joined
Dec 2, 2022
Messages
1,776
Reaction score
5,869
Points
185
Location
Southwestern B.C.
I went out to check my garlic bed to see if they'd sprouted much and...and...something ate them?

At first, I was puzzled because I couldn't find any garlic where I planted, but thought maybe a storm had covered them over. Eventually I did find one though, pulled up and with bite marks in it. I'll post pictures tomorrow. Perhaps you guys can help me ID the thief.

Is it too late to replant and cover with a frost cloth to keep out the nibblers?
It's not too late at all-- I grow garlic in Washington State, and mine has yet to be planted (rainy weather ahead, so it could be two weeks or so before it gets tucked in the soil). Garlic needs a couple of months of cold weather, so as long as you replant by the end of November you should be just fine. And I have no idea what may have munched it. Over the years there have been the odd clove disturbed by animals, but I can't recall anything ever actually eating the garlic.
 

AMKuska

Garden Master
Joined
Jan 25, 2014
Messages
2,341
Reaction score
5,827
Points
317
Location
Washington
It's not too late at all-- I grow garlic in Washington State, and mine has yet to be planted (rainy weather ahead, so it could be two weeks or so before it gets tucked in the soil). Garlic needs a couple of months of cold weather, so as long as you replant by the end of November you should be just fine. And I have no idea what may have munched it. Over the years there have been the odd clove disturbed by animals, but I can't recall anything ever actually eating the garlic.
I've never had anything bother my garlic. I'll replant today and take some photos before I put frost cloth across it to keep the Snacker away.
 

Shades-of-Oregon

Deeply Rooted
Joined
Jul 22, 2024
Messages
1,015
Reaction score
3,079
Points
165
In years past I grew garlic until I was planting mice and vole bait. They luv garlic if planted now they come for winter snacks and are attracted to garlic bulbs and can cause underground damage that's hard to detect until it's too late.
 

AMKuska

Garden Master
Joined
Jan 25, 2014
Messages
2,341
Reaction score
5,827
Points
317
Location
Washington
In years past I grew garlic until I was planting mice and vole bait. They luv garlic if planted now they come for winter snacks and are attracted to garlic bulbs and can cause underground damage that's hard to detect until it's too late.
Thanks for this. I don't have voles, mice are definitely out there. They're well controlled by owls, hawks and eagles though. It may be an enterprising young mouse decided to snack on my garlics.

Went out and replanted today, covered with a frost cloth. Here's a chewed one.
DSC02661.JPG

DSC02658.JPG
 

Shades-of-Oregon

Deeply Rooted
Joined
Jul 22, 2024
Messages
1,015
Reaction score
3,079
Points
165
Thanks for this. I don't have voles, mice are definitely out there. They're well controlled by owls, hawks and eagles though. It may be an enterprising young mouse decided to snack on my garlics.

Went out and replanted today, covered with a frost cloth. Here's a chewed one. View attachment 70369
View attachment 70370

Major bummer. That mouse found a treasure trove of goodies. Not sure what else to tell ya to eliminate mice…other that mice bate. Or bate a bucket filled with water trap , other traps… on the market. Even if planted in pots in my experience they will dig in pots.
 

flowerbug

Garden Master
Joined
Oct 15, 2017
Messages
17,107
Reaction score
27,046
Points
427
Location
mid-Michigan, USoA
we do have mice here too, but perhaps the difference is between planting in mostly clay soil which tends to isolate and keep smells from being easily transmitted and whatever type of soil you have there? anyways, never had any chewing damage from animals for garlic cloves planted.

were they planted at least three inches under the surface?

i was going to joke about hungry daughter but those marks don't match my expectations of that... :)
 

Shades-of-Oregon

Deeply Rooted
Joined
Jul 22, 2024
Messages
1,015
Reaction score
3,079
Points
165
We have clay soil and it doesn’t stop any ground critters. I sure wish that theory worked. I’d have zero issues.
 

AMKuska

Garden Master
Joined
Jan 25, 2014
Messages
2,341
Reaction score
5,827
Points
317
Location
Washington
we do have mice here too, but perhaps the difference is between planting in mostly clay soil which tends to isolate and keep smells from being easily transmitted and whatever type of soil you have there? anyways, never had any chewing damage from animals for garlic cloves planted.

were they planted at least three inches under the surface?

i was going to joke about hungry daughter but those marks don't match my expectations of that... :)
They were not. The planting guide I got with my original one said they should have their little top knot sticking up out of it.

As for hungry daughter -- she totally would too. She just today discovered green onions (we seldom serve because they are the bane of my son's existence) and she is a major fan. Garlic is likely not safe.
 
Top