I just harvested our garlic two weeks ago and it’s already time to start planning for next year’s. I didn’t count or weigh our harvest (my scale went missing when we butchered chickens, I’m hoping to find it tomorrow night) but suffice it to say that we’ll be giving hardneck garlic (it doesn’t keep as long) to everyone we know. And we likely have enough softneck and artichoke garlic to get us most of the way to next year’s harvest.
It was the first time I’d grown it and I was impressed both by how easy it was and how enthralled I am with the flavor. I wish I could tell you which 4 kinds I grew, but I ordered a “large garden pack” and got 4 varieties not listed on the packing slip. They were identified at planting by me, but I’ve been slow to learn that Sharpie fades in the sun, so while I know that there’s a rocambole/hardneck, a purple stripe, a turban (also purple) and a silverskin I can’t tell you which ones.
I contemplated using the garlic I grew as seed for next year, but since I don’t know what they are I decided to order new seed. Then I, in typical fashion, went a bit nuts. I only ordered 1/4 pound more seed than I got last year, but instead of four varieties I got seven. I focused on varieties that keep well and are reputed to do well in our wet winters. The order includes:
- 1/2 pound of Nootka Rose (silverskin)
- 1/2 pound of Silver White (silverskin)
- 1/4 pound of Inchelium Red (artichoke)
- 1/4 pound of Polish White (artichoke)
- 1/4 pound of Vostani (porcelain)
- 1/4 pound of Khabar (marbled purple stripe)
- 1/4 pound of Killarney Red (rocambole/hardneck).
Lest you think I’m nuts (I can hear some of you laughing from here) I do have a reason for my madness. I’m hoping that by testing a number of varieties in my garden. And then remembering to label them with better markers. That I’ll be able to use some of next year’s harvest as seed stock and not have to order seed again unless I find that one of my groups doesn’t deliver.
If you haven’t grown garlic before I highly recommend that you give it a try. If you’re short on space you could do just 12 or 16 plants, they don’t take that much room, and you’d still get enough to enjoy. If you like garlic scapes, choose a rocambole or purple stripe variety. I got fantastic scapes from mine this spring.
If you’re looking for a source I highly recommend Filaree, I’ve had nothing but positive experiences with them. I’ve also heard good things about seed from Territorial, Seeds of Change and Seed Savers Exchange. Get your order in soon to get the best selection.
Have you grown garlic before? Got a favorite variety or source? I’ve still got space in my garden plan for another variety or two… 
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Yummmm! Garlic! I grow Inchelium Red and Music, a hardneck variety that lasts a good six months or more for me. Very spicy, too. Inchelium Red took me a couple of years to get the heads nice and large, but this year I wound up with some 4″ across. It braids nicely, as well.
Growing garlic is so easy, I haven’t bought any for years. I originally bought my “seed” from Territorial. The heads were really small (<2 in) for both varieties, but especially the Inchelium Red. That’s why it took a couple of years to size up the heads.
I haven’t had basal rot problems for a couple of years now. Last year our cold, wet spring gave the garlic a bad case of rust, but rotation and a warm spring this year cured it.
One can never have too much garlic! And with so many varieties, why not? I grew garlic and was amazed at how easy it was. And how quickly they grew – they seemed to come out overnight and quickly take over the garden. The harvest is very satisfying. I haven’t tried different varieties – which do you find work best for which preparations?
I was on the fence about planting garlic, but you’ve helped me make up my mind to do it! My family and I recently moved from downtown Chicago to 15 acres in NC, and we’ve been planting anything that will grow. We’ve had such an over abundance that it’s a little overwhelming, but if growing garlic is really as easy as you all say it is, I can’t wait to try it. Yum!
I grew 4 different kind of garlic this year. They did very well, I’ll be growing garlic every year from here on out. I’m trying to decide if I want to order more seed or buy new kinds.
I got my garlic from http://www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com/, they were of high quality and very nice. I even got a handwritten note on my invoice.
The garlic looks great! I am definitely planning on growing some next year, but I haven’t decided what kind yet.
That’s a lot of garlic you’ve ordered!
I just grow about 20 – 40 plants a year – this year was a bust. I think a bunch rotted in the ground this spring – they had sprouted during a mild winter and then we had a very cold wet spring. We have enough for us for awhile, but not enough for family – they’ll be disappointed.
Thanks for the reminder – time to order my garlic again – I do like Filaree also.
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We’ve got limited space, but I’ve planted garlic from Seeds of Change several times & been happy with all the different varieties I’ve tried. I think my favorite was Music Pink – subtle flavor, very tasty. I’m debating planting it this fall, as we might be moving in the spring, but I’ll probably plant it anyway because it’s so nice to have!
This is my 2nd year growing garlic. Last summer I had a baby and ended up not harvesting in time, but this year I was on top of it and got a good crop. I honestly just buy garlic at the farmer’s market for planting, and I’ve had good success. I know it’s organic and that it grows well locally, if nothing else.
My favourite part of garlic has got to be the scapes. I only just discovered them this year, and man are they good!
I have almost no space, but I always make sure to have one bed of garlic going. I usually plant from my own harvest, but I also pick up a few fresh heads from the farmer’s market in September so I can pick out the biggest cloves for sowing.
I used to grow Inchelium Red softneck, but since I never grow enough to worry about spoiling I now stick to rocambole. I love the scapes.
Looking forward to hearing how your different varieties work out!
Kristi :: Good to know about sizing up the heads. I got a mix of really big and small heads this year. So if I was using it as seed I’d want to plant the big cloves to get bigger heads next year, right?
Mangochild :: I’m loving the flavor of the hardneck variety right now. So good fresh – it’s milder and richer than the silverskin and artichoke.
Monika :: Congrats on your new place! We’ve always got an overabundance around here too, but can usually find takers for most of it. Definitely grow garlic – since you can store it for months it’s not so overwhelming in it’s enthusiasm.
Chiot’s Run:: If you’ve found one you really like why not use it as your seed? Or of course you can be like me and keep trying new varieties.
Lisa A:: have fun choosing a variety!
Wendy :: yeah, it’s a lot of garlic, but we love garlic! Sorry yours rotted in the ground – we had a bit of that from the cold, wet winter but luckily not too much.
Kim :: with a name like that I may just have to try Music Pink. If you move you could always dig it up and take it with you…
Amber :: I’ve done that with potatoes when I couldn’t get seed for something I wanted to try – no reason not to. I just discovered scapes too, and find them really delicious!
Jessamyn :: I’ll keep you posted. If anything works out fabulously you’ll be welcome to seed for your garden.