Hi Joel – Hmmm, I might be misunderstanding, but were you planting bulbils from the scapes? If so, it is common for them to take 2 or 3 years to size up. Just stick them back in the ground.

If, however, you were growing from the cloves of a large bulb of garlic, it sounds like your garlic wasn’t in the ground long enough.

I usually plant in late October here in the Pacific Northwest and harvest in July or August, which is about 9 months for those babies. Garlic requires a period of cold to develop bulbs.

Not sure where you are, when you planted, or what were your varieties, but there are a lot of variables that can affect garlic bulb success. Here is an article I wrote a few years ago that might be helpful: 25 Garlic Growing Management Strategies for Preventing Problems and Growing the Best Garlic Ever.

A lot of people plant anytime between early September and late November, so the timing is perfect to get next year’s crop started. Good luck!

You got it, Harvey – you should have them by now. Bulbils are absolutely perfect for armchair & back porch gardeners – and just so handy to have on a windowsill. I hope to plant some more tomorrow and give little pots as Christmas gifts a month from now.

In answer to your question, Yes, I drilled holes in the plastic tubs I used for planting bulbils in previously. Plus, because the tubs were rather tall, I cut a few inches off the top. I am sure you could use something much smaller – I just had some old tubs lying around and it was a good way to recycle them. Whatever you use, good drainage is important. Too much water and they can rot (as mine did last year after all the heavy rain & cold spring weather we had). Most sources will tell you they need constant moisture, but I have not found that to be the case. I kind of think of it like radishes or raspberries – lots of water, you might get bigger bulbs or fruit, but they won’t be as flavorful. Not that you want to stress the plants – you just want to try to walk that balance. Good drainage will help in that regard. I find it’s a little more critical to stay on top of the water when you grow things in pots. In the open ground, they seem to be able to find their own way a little easier if they aren’t strangled by weeds in the process!

Best of luck to you!