Planting garlic and shallots

This is the method I use to plant garlic and shallots.  I followed this on November 2nd when I planted them in our plot. 

Garlic, shallots, and onions can all be planted in both fall and spring.  For larger yields, it's generally recommended to plant in the fall.  I presume this is because it lengthens the growing season such that the bulbs are growing not just in one season (as would be the case with a spring planting), but gets the rest of fall and spring to grow.  In Maryland, it's recommended to plant between October 15 and November 15.

First, the garlic and shallots are soaked in separate solutions of warm water, two tablespoons of baking soda (to kill bacteria on them), and a hefty sprinkling of the organic fertilizer that I use (Garden Tone). I leave that to soak for two hours, stirring periodically because the Tone tends to settle to the bottom of the containers.  I also did this for the garlic and Surprise Onions last year.  This is a variation on a recommendation I found online to use a seaweed emulsion, however, I don't have the emulsion and do have the Tone.  Since this worked quite well for the garlic last year, I did it again.

Garlic and shallots are planted with the pointy tips facing up.  The greenery sprouts from this location.  For fall plantings, you will likely will get modest growth in the fall, everything dies off, then you will have significant regrowth in the spring until harvest.  I measured the height of my garlic greenery at 20" at one point this year.

I've read varying sources to recommend they be planted between 3" and 1.5" deep.  From what I can best tell, the idea is to have a 3" deep hole, plant your bulb (in the case of garlic, an individual clove), then have approx 1.5" soil on top.  A good way to dig your holes is by using a screwdriver to create a cone-shaped hole then you place your bulb/clove in the hole and cover it up.  You generally want to plant garlic, shallots, and onions about 6" apart.

I neglected to take a picture of primary garlic box for this year (it had been inhabited by tomatoes this year and is 3' wide by 5' long), unfortunately, but you can see an overflow box for garlic (on left) and the second shallot box (right) which was populated by bell peppers and basil this year.

And here's a picture showing the boxes (stakes are so Wifey and The Boy don't accidentally step in the boxes.  I will be adding mulched leaves on top as I accumulate them.  This helps with nutrient replacement as well as to help retain moisture.