Garlic.

[zabado]

Iv'e planted out some garlic just like the instructions on the packet expecting it to weather over the winter and then grow next spring, but it has green shoots poking through the soil after only two weeks. Will it be alright to leave until the spring ?.

[Maydup]

This mild weather is confusing the garden no end!

As soon as we get some colder nights it will stop growing and wait for the spring, but if it continues to grow and the shoots are too tender you might find you lose it in Jan/ Feb when the temperatures drop. Might be worth having some more at the ready to replace if that happens.

[murraymints]

I would mulch over in order to provide some protection from yet to come frosts

[alavahalf]

The reason to plant in autumn is to get that root network established. The reason not to plant too early is so that not too much of the stored energy from the bulb is used up growing tops that won't go to building the heads of garlic you want. Garlic is very hardy, and over the years I've seen very little damage to the plants because of cold weather. The tips may go yellow with the frost but the bulb should be fine.
One more tip is when you have mulched it, drop a bit of net over it because as winter approaches the pigeons will have less food available and your fresh green tips will look very appetising.
Last December I did a little experiment and planted 2 cloves in a 9" plant pot and stood it in the polytunnel. At the same time I put about 30 cloves outside.
The ones in the tunnel grew rapidly and I ended up with great long shoots that went into salads .. the bulbs were tiny.
The ones that went into the ground and had no protection at all, sprouted shoots just like yours and ended up like tennis balls. I now have enough hanging in a net to see me through until next year, plus I have a supply to plant shortly, that I know grow well in my soil.. make sure you do a few extras for growing purposes.

[zabado]

My mind's at rest thank you all.