Amkuska's 2025 Garden

AMKuska

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.
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Shades-of-Oregon

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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

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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

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We have clay soil and it doesn’t stop any ground critters. I sure wish that theory worked. I’d have zero issues.
 

AMKuska

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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.
 
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