I tried to grow garlic once by bunging a bulb in a pot and leaving it to see what happened. Funnily enough, nothing happened except it went a bit manky.
So when I heard about The Great British Garlic Challenge, I thought I’d have a go at growing garlic properly (plus, I’ll do almost anything that has the word ‘challenge’ in it).
The competition is being organised by The Garlic Farm – the UK’s only specialist garlic grower.
To enter, competitors first need to register on The Garlic Farm’s website (registration will stay open throughout the competition). The Garlic Farmer, Colin Boswell, will then email hints and tips on how to grow garlic at home.
To enter the competition, entrants will need to plant and grow garlic of the Solent Wight variety, which you can buy on The Garlic Farm’s website, but it is widely available elsewhere. Once harvested, entrants will send farmer Colin three photographs of their garlic; one in situ, one when lifted and one in its dried and cleaned state.
The Solent Wight garlic should be harvested in July. All photo entries need to be submitted by Friday 16 August 2013 when Colin will study each image before choosing the winner. The winner will receive a complimentary weekend for two at The Garlic Farm, £100 to spend in the farm shop and a meal for two at the onsite restaurant where they will be able to taste some of The Garlic Farm’s very own produce. Five runners up will each receive a year’s supply of garlic.
I’m off to buy some Solent Wight garlic bulbs to grow and I’ll be posting its progress on here. Who else is in?