Hi Hank 95% of garlic does not produce viable seed so you have to grow from the cloves. When did you plant them?

There are 2 kinds of Garlic. The best one is the Autumn sowing variety, I cant remember its name. Your GC should stock them now. We had a drought this Spring so mine really needed more water, I got small bulbs too.
You have reminded me to go to the GC that have the Autumn Bulbs. They are expensive. Some people start them in a seed tray first to get a good root system before planting out. Home grown are definitely better.

Thanks for your messages, I planted them about this time last year. I was advised to buy from any grocer but I guess that was wrong.
Most of them grew but they were very disappointing woth tiny cloves.

I live near a lot of Chinese gardeners and notice that spacing has a large affect on the size. Some grow it the open ground and well spaced and they get a nice fat bulb. Some grow what looks like an impossible amount in containers like washing up bowls and they get what looks like a spring onion.

Hello again Hank. Have just been over to fetch the Garlic Bulbs from Brittens at Mears Ashby. The Autumn planting variety is 'Vigour' - 3 bulbs £2.50.
I will be splitting them into seperate pieces and planting in seed trays in 'Clover' compost. Then planting out when they have grown good roots, into well manured land.

Thanks, guys, i'll be down to the garden centre tomorrow morning and do the job properly this year.

Another thought Hank. I have planted my Garlic cloves in 2 seed trays, 3" apart. Decided to feed them once a month with half-strength Tomorite when I feed my Spring Bulbs.

Mmm.......