Those “top garlics” can be used or planted, either one. IIRC, if you plant them, you only get a small, solid bulb the first year; then you plant that the following year and get a full sized bulb composed of cloves. Of course, if they’re wild garlics, they may be pretty small, no matter what; and lots of different family members go by the term “wild garlic”.
Our Egyptians are walking like an onion right now. I’m planning on prepping a new bed to be their permanent home, and will separate & plant the tops, and bring the bulbs in for kitchen duty. The ones I already dug were very hot, but also very good flavor: IOW, a little went a long way. I would not use them for slicing or dicing on a hamburger, but would dice & cook then in hamburger.
Check out this, since you’re in OK: Open the link, and scroll down about 3 or 4 post to ***Posted by okiedawn Z7 OK (My Page ) on Sat, Jul 5, 08 at 16:51*** http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/okgard/msg0711214120419.html
Thanks for the info on the garlics. I do wonder if you would be willing to clarify something for me, however. You stated, “if you plant them [top garlic], you only get a small, solid bulb the first year; then you plant that the following year and get a full sized bulb composed of cloves.”
When you say, “then you plant “THAT” the following year,” does the “that” refer to the the next top garlic generated, or to the single bulb from the top garlic you had planted?
You are correct about the smallness of the wild garlics. Ours are indeed tiny! I was using them for a while, and they are flavorful, but quite a bit of trouble to use. I’m not presently trying to utilize them, but am glad they are around if I ever need them! They would probably be best used if smashed and put into a canvas tea bag and boiled in a broth for soups.
BTW thanks for the link.