Suppliers-garlic and shallot sets for the fall

[SaraBClever]

Where is a good place to get both shallots AND garlic sets? (I don't want to start the shallots from seed). I'd like to do a fall planting, but I am only finding sellers who sell one but not the other or who sell large quantities--which seems expensive. I'd just like to do a few containers. How much should I order?

Is it true that I plant 6 weeks before the last frost date?

[Tony]

Hi. I ordered garlic for the first time last fall, from Landreth Seeds (landrethseeds.com), and got very good customer service and nice, fresh bulbs. Their catalog lists shallots, too. I don't know about planting shallots, but I planted garlic in late October, and they're nearly ready to be harvested. (I'm in Dover, DE.) I planted one package of hardnecks and two packages of Silverskin softnecks--I think a total of six bulbs. From these bulbs, I planted 75 cloves, although some were small--which make smaller bulbs. This fall, I'm going to plant some of the larger cloves, and order a couple of packages more of the hardnecks. (Chesnok Red, I think they're called.) There are plenty of rabbits and insect pests who've visited my garden, but Aliums, such as garlic, seem to be pest free--knock on wood.

We like garlic in our family (we lived in northern Italy for three years), and we have a lot of basil growing, too, which I've been picking and freezing. Should make great pesto! Good luck! Tony

[Angie Knost]

Hi Sara!
Check out the Maine Potato Lady...she has a website (you'll find it).
I ordered my garlic from her in the spring along with some potatoes.
The potatoes are coming up great - it's time to start hilling.
The garlic will be shipped later in the fall in time for planting.
Her quantities are reasonable and geared toward home gardens.

[Tamra]

I like territorial seeds. they have a huge selection of garlic, and they sell shallots.

http://www.territorialseed.com/prod_detail_list/s

get 1/2 to a pound of each. If cured the garlic will keep a year. Be sure to save the biggest cloves for planing next fall. I plant in late October. Once the ground freezes mulch thickly. The tops might winter kill, but will regrow in early spring. I just harvested the garlic I planted last fall. And just in time, I was down to my last 2 bulbs left from last years planting.

I like to braid my harvest for easy, attractive storage, so I get a soft the neck variety. However if you want garlic scapes as well as garlic, get the hard neck kind.

Garlic is easy, no pests. Shallots are a little harder. Mine tend to rot.