Sprouted cloves from the grocer can make good garlic, but they stand a slightly higher chance of being infested with viruses and other diseases than certified disease-free bulbs from the nursery or garden center.

also, you don`t know the variety, garlic from the supermarket may have been grown in S. France, Argentina.... who knows? There may be better varieties for UK. However I have had good results from supermarket cloves that were just sat in the cupboard. Only one way to find out.

I'm all for trying things - if it's not a success you haven't lost anything. I thought they were usually planted in the autumn, but don't mind me, I've only grown them once and was underwhelmed by the results!

OK Steragram, possibly a little late. I planted one lot at halloween (possibly a bit early), and another at a more traditional New Years Day, perhaps I`ll try some on 14th Feb. and do a comparison this year.

I would be surprised if they didn't at least live through the summer in the UK, even if they didn't put much growth on. You should still get a harvest in 2013.

I planted them on my allotment in Spring. Didnt grow at all. Waste of time.
The elephant cloves I planted last September are now 6" tall. Hope for better results this year.

I've grown them without problem but they're always a bit small.

If planting now then put them in small pots or large individual seedling pots/trays. That allows the frost to penetrate the bulb easier.I say give it a try - it will take a year but nothing ventured nothing gained!

I used to grow garlic, but I've given up, since it's available so cheaply here anyway, and the space in the garden is more usefully available to grow other things. My harvest was always a bit undersized, anyway.

Like your new avatar Gattina - did you build it yourself?

No, Stera, I stole it!!!!

Hmm...it might be a matter of varieties. The garlic we grow here doesn't need frost at all, and it grows happily all winter, harvested late March or early April, or left in the ground to multiply more..

I would like to have seen you moving it secretly!