Garlic plants not harvested

[Babyitscoldouts1de]

I planted some garlic in a tub with herbs early in the year. It initially grew then died off so I assumed it had failed. In late summer it started growing again. I would normally have harvested July - August, but it was nowhere ready.

Should I cut my losses and pick them now when the bulbs will be tiny, or can they survive and grow if left until next year?

I would harvest the bulbs and have a look at them because they could be diseased/have rotted and if this is the case, you don't want to be leaving them in the ground.

If they're OK once you've lifted them, I'd split them into individual cloves, leave them somewhere dry and cool but frost free and plant them after you've had a look at your soil. I'd be adding some grit to the soil because inadequate drainage might be the cause of why they died off in the first place.

Actually given that you grew in them in a tub (sorry I thought you'd just put them in the ground), I'd bin the old soil (if the bulbs are OK) and then add grit to some new compost and plant the cloves in that. I'd also put the pot on bricks or feet to help with the drainage.

Thank you, will give it a go