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If you’re new to planting garlic, it can seem intimidating at first to know which varieties to plant in your garden. Did you know that garlic comes in over 600 different varieties? Yes, that’s right, gardening friends. In today’s guide, we introduce you to some of the most popular varieties for home gardeners. We also give you all the tips and tricks to select the best varieties for your garden. So, if garlic is on your list of crops to plant this fall, you’ve come to the right place. Pull up a chair and let’s dive in!
Hardneck vs. softneck garlic: What’s the difference?
Before you rush out to your local nursery or click add to your cart online, do a little research first.
When it comes to garlic, there are two broad categories to choose from. Each category has a wide variety of cultivars. The two main categories are hardneck and softneck garlic. What separates the two are the level of hardiness. Also, the formation of cloves and whether or not they produce flower stalks called scapes.
Common characteristics of hardneck garlic
- Hardneck garlic is known for its long flowering stalks called scapes. Some gardeners like to grind these down to make their own homemade pesto.
- Since they are more winter hardy, hardneck garlic thrives in colder climates and growing zones.
- Some gardeners find that hardneck varieties are easier to peel and have a bolder flavour, but it really comes down to personal preference.
- Although fewer than softneck garlic, the cloves of hardneck garlic are larger and form in a single layer.
Hardneck has a shorter storage life and will start to break down after 4-6 months.
Common characteristics of softneck garlic
- Softneck garlic is not as winter hardy as hardneck making it suitable for warmer climates.
- Softneck varieties have a longer shelf life and can be properly stored for 9-12 months.
- Several cloves per head. Size of cloves will vary between sub-varieties.
- Softneck varieties do not produce scapes and their necks are quite soft. This makes them excellent to braid for storage.
Selecting a source for garlic to plant
Once you’ve made the decision to plant hardneck or softneck garlic, it’s time to find a source of garlic bulbs to plant. Often the best place to look is within your local community. Local vendors and garlic farmers often have bulbs for sale during planting season. Shopping locally is a great way to select garlic that is best adapted to your local growing area. You may also be able to buy garlic bulbs directly from a local garden centre or nursery. When in doubt about which varieties to select, ask a fellow gardener in your area for advice. That way you can be sure to find the right balance of garlic bulbs to plant in your own garden.
Best garlic varieties for northern growers
When it comes to gardening in a northern growing zone, cold-hardy varieties are what you should look for to plant. These varieties belong to the hardneck group. Within this family of garlic, there are often several sub-groups to choose from.
To help you select the best varieties for your garden, here are a few of our favourite varieties. This is not an exhaustive list, but gives you a launching point to start growing garlic in your own home garden.
Top picks for northern growers
- Porcelain: If you are looking for an extremely cold-hardy variety of garlic with a sweet flavour, look no further than porcelain. This sub-variety of hardneck garlic produces large bulbs. Each garlic head averages 4-6 cloves. The plants put on vigorous growth as they awaken in Spring. Porcelain garlic is known for its hardiness making it perfect for northern growing conditions. Two different types of porcelain garlic to look out for this season are Music and Big boy. Music has great adaptability and can tolerate very cold winters. It’s a popular variety among northern growers. Big boy, on the other hand, produces huge heads and is very similar in its growing habits to Music.
- Rocambole: If a bolder flavour of garlic is more of your style, why not try planting some Rocambole garlic. Rocambole garlic is very popular among home gardeners. It is also praised by chefs for its bold and intense flavour. This type of garlic thrives in cold climates. It needs a certain amount of chill time during the winter in order to produce its unique flavour. Once harvested, the bulbs can last between 4-6 months. Each bulb will produce between 7-10 cloves. Its adaptability to cold temperatures makes Rocambole a great option for northern growers. A popular sub-type of Racombole garlic is Spanish Roja. The bulbs are large and the flavour is intense.
- Purple Stripe: One of the best varieties for roasting and longer term storage is Purple Stripe garlic. This variety is quite cold hardy. It thrives best when temperatures plunge over the winter. The bulbs will produce a good amount of cloves in the range of 8-10 per head. The flavour is pleasing. It will intensify more as the garlic is left to age. Two subtypes of this variety are Chesnok Red and Russian Red. Chesnok Red is a great general purpose cooking garlic with a bold and intense flavour. Russian Red is equally popular. It can be used in a number of different dishes. It also makes a great companion for use in a variety of sauces.
Best garlic varieties for southern growers
For southern gardeners, be on the lookout for varieties that can tolerate heat and warmer winters. Most varieties will belong to the softneck family. It is possible to plant hardneck garlic in southern growing zones, but it does take some extra work. So, if it’s your first time growing garlic in a southern growing zone, try some softneck varieties first.
You will most likely need to refrigerate your bulbs before planting. Doing this will help to trigger germination. 6-12 weeks before planting is best to begin to chill your garlic. This period is called vernalization. If you are very far south, you will need the full 12 weeks. DO NOT place your bulbs in the freezer. Note that you only need to chill your garlic if you do not have 6-8 weeks of winter temperatures below 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit or 4-7 degrees Celsius.
Top picks for southern growers
- Creole: One of the most popular varieties of garlic for southern growers. Creole garlic produces larger bulbs and has a rich and bold flavour. It is extremely adaptable to warmer growing conditions and has great storage life.
- Elephant garlic: Elephant garlic is actually a type of leek. However, for southern growers, it makes a great substitute for garlic. Elephant garlic produces a milder flavour than traditional garlic. It is better suited for growing in southern gardens. It produces large cloves.
- Inchelium Red: This variety of garlic is extremely adaptable, making it great for a wide range of climates. It does exceptionally well in southern growing zones and has a rich and bold flavour. This variety of garlic stores well and is known as a proven performer in the garden.
- Silverskin: Silverskin is a popular variety among southern growers for its amazing storage life. It has a mild flavour for those who do not care for the bold and strong flavour of some varieties of garlic. It produces well in warmer climates and has multiple smaller cloves per head.
Frequently asked questions about growing garlic
How deep should you plant garlic?
Garlic is best planted about 2-4 inches deep. Make sure that the pointed end is facing up when you plant. Planting this deep will allow for strong root development and bulb production.
How far apart should you plant garlic?
Garlic should be planted 2-4 inches apart with rows spaced 12 inches apart.
Can you use store-bought garlic for planting?
It’s best not to use store-bought garlic for planting. It may have been chemically treated to prevent sprouting. It may also not be the right variety for your growing zone and conditions. For best results, select garlic from a reputable vendor in your local area. This way, you will be able to plant garlic that is best adapted to your growing conditions.
Final thoughts on choosing garlic varieties
Growing garlic largely comes down to knowing what your local growing conditions are. If you’re just starting out on your journey of growing garlic, let today’s guide be a launching point for you. Have a favourite variety that has become an old standby for you? Drop a comment below and help your fellow gardeners on their own garlic growing journey. Until next time gardening friends, if you haven’t done so already be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @bluenoseblooms for more gardening tips and tricks. Come join the fun of our supportive and engaging online gardening community! We look forward to having you along with us on the journey.
