Overview

Cultivate your own flavorful harvest with our premium selection of hardneck garlic bulbs. This offering provides a diverse mix of non-GMO, heirloom garlic varieties, specifically chosen for their robust flavor and excellent growing characteristics. Ideal for fall and winter garden planting, these bulbs promise a rewarding experience for both novice and experienced gardeners. Unlike the softneck varieties often found in supermarkets, hardneck garlic is renowned for its intense, complex flavors, larger cloves, and easier-to-peel skins. Each bulb contains a central woody stalk, which is characteristic of hardneck types, and produces a scape that can also be harvested and enjoyed. Planting these heirloom garlic varieties ensures you’re growing a product of exceptional quality, free from genetic modification, and cultivated naturally.

Our mixed collection means you’ll receive several different types of hardneck garlic, ensuring a varied and exciting crop. From the robust German Extra Hardy to the unique Asian Tempest, each variety brings its own distinct profile to your culinary creations. These bulbs are perfect for anyone looking to elevate their cooking with fresh, homegrown ingredients, or simply to enjoy the satisfaction of growing their own food. Prepare your garden beds in the fall, and look forward to a spring and early summer harvest of delicious, aromatic garlic that will last for months when stored properly. Experience the joy of growing hardneck garlic and the superior taste it brings to your table.

Key Benefits

Planting our hardneck garlic bulbs offers numerous advantages, from culinary delight to garden resilience. These benefits make them an excellent addition to any home garden:

• Superior Flavor Profile: Hardneck garlic is celebrated for its rich, complex, and often spicier flavor compared to common softneck varieties. This makes it a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike, enhancing any dish from roasted vegetables to savory sauces.
• Excellent Storage Life: When properly cured, these whole bulbs and individual cloves boast a long shelf life after harvest. This means you can enjoy your homegrown garlic for many months, ensuring a fresh supply for your kitchen throughout the year.
• Non-GMO Heirloom Quality: Our garlic is non-GMO garlic, ensuring you plant natural, unaltered heirloom varieties. This commitment to traditional gardening practices means you’re growing robust, time-tested plants with proven performance and flavor.
• Adaptable for Fall Planting: Specifically suited for fall planting garlic, these bulbs establish roots before winter, leading to stronger, more vigorous growth in the spring. This timing optimizes yield and bulb size, making it an efficient crop for northern climates.
• Easy to Grow: Hardneck garlic is relatively easy to cultivate, making it suitable for gardeners of all experience levels. With proper soil preparation and adequate sunlight, you can expect a successful harvest, even if you’re new to gardening.
• Culinary Versatility: The distinct and varied flavors from this mixed selection of hardneck garlic bulbs provide endless culinary possibilities. Each variety offers subtle differences, allowing you to experiment and find your favorites for different recipes.
• Pest Deterrent: Garlic plants can act as a natural deterrent to certain garden pests, helping to protect surrounding plants. Integrating garlic into your garden design can contribute to a healthier, more balanced ecosystem.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Successful cultivation of hardneck garlic bulbs begins with proper site selection and soil preparation. Garlic thrives in a location that receives full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. The soil should be well-draining, loose, and rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is ideal. Before planting, amend your soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and drainage. This provides the essential nutrients and structure for the bulbs to develop properly. Ensure that your planting bed is free of weeds, which can compete with garlic for nutrients and moisture.

Fall planting garlic is crucial for hardneck varieties, typically done from mid-September to November, before the ground freezes solid. Plant individual cloves (pointy end up) about 4-6 inches deep and 6 inches apart, in rows spaced 12-18 inches apart. After planting, cover the bed with a 4-6 inch layer of straw or other organic mulch. This mulch helps to insulate the soil, protect the cloves from extreme cold, suppress weeds, and conserve moisture. In the spring, as shoots emerge, you can pull back some of the mulch to allow the soil to warm, or leave it to continue suppressing weeds and retaining moisture. Regular watering is essential during dry periods, especially as the bulbs begin to swell in late spring and early summer. Aim for consistent moisture, but avoid waterlogging, which can lead to rot. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced organic fertilizer to support vigorous growth. Scapes, the flower stalks, should be removed when they curl to encourage energy to go into bulb development rather than seed production. Harvesting usually occurs in late June or July when the lower leaves begin to yellow and dry, but there are still 4-5 green leaves remaining. Proper curing is vital for long-term storage of your hardneck garlic bulbs.

Size & Details

Our offering includes a generous mix of hardneck garlic bulbs, provided as whole bulbs and individual cloves, ready for planting. The exact number of bulbs or cloves per pound will vary depending on the specific varieties included in your mix, as different types have varying clove sizes. You will receive a selection of several distinct heirloom garlic varieties, ensuring a diverse and exciting harvest. While the mix will not necessarily include some of each type listed, it will feature a robust assortment. This product is intended for planting and will yield full-sized garlic bulbs after one growing season. Expect a growth rate that allows for harvest approximately 8-9 months after fall planting. These bulbs are naturally grown and selected for their vigor and quality, ensuring a strong start in your garden. The final size of your harvested garlic bulbs will depend on growing conditions, but hardneck varieties are known for producing large, easy-to-peel cloves.

This product is ideal for gardeners planting for personal use or for those looking to experience a range of authentic garlic flavors. The weight selected will determine the quantity of bulbs and cloves you receive, providing ample material for a substantial garden plot. Each clove planted has the potential to grow into a full bulb, making this an incredibly productive crop. The mixed varieties ensure a staggered harvest and a delightful array of textures and tastes for your culinary endeavors. Prepare to enjoy the fresh, intense flavors that only homegrown non-GMO garlic can provide.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: What is the best time to plant these hardneck garlic bulbs? A: The optimal time for fall planting garlic is typically from mid-September to November, before the ground freezes. This allows the bulbs to establish roots before winter dormancy, leading to a stronger spring growth.
• Q: How much sun do hardneck garlic bulbs need to grow successfully? A: These hardneck garlic bulbs require full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Planting in a sunny location is crucial for large, well-developed bulbs.
• Q: Are these garlic bulbs easy to grow for beginners? A: Yes, growing hardneck garlic is relatively straightforward and suitable for beginners. With proper soil preparation, full sun, and consistent moisture, you can achieve a successful harvest.
• Q: What condition will the garlic arrive in? A: Your garlic will arrive as fresh, whole bulbs and individual cloves, ready for planting. They are carefully packaged to ensure their quality and viability upon arrival.
• Q: Can I use these heirloom garlic varieties in cooking immediately? A: While these are intended for planting, the cloves are fresh and edible. However, for a full harvest, it’s best to plant them and enjoy the much larger bulbs they produce after a growing season.
• Q: How long until I can harvest my hardneck garlic? A: Hardneck garlic typically takes 8-9 months from fall planting to harvest. You can usually expect to harvest your bulbs in late June or July of the following year.
• Q: Will these non-GMO garlic bulbs survive winter in colder climates? A: Yes, hardneck garlic varieties are well-suited for colder climates and require a period of cold dormancy to produce large bulbs. Mulching after planting helps protect them through winter.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for planting hardneck garlic? A: Hardneck garlic bulbs thrive in well-draining, loose soil that is rich in organic matter. Amending your soil with compost before planting is highly recommended.
• Q: What varieties are included in the mixed hardneck garlic offering? A: The mix will include several different heirloom garlic varieties such as Khabar, German Extra Hardy, Music, Chesnok Red, and others from the listed selection, providing a diverse culinary experience.
• Q: How much space do I need to plant a pound of garlic? A: A pound of garlic typically contains enough cloves to plant a significant area. With cloves spaced 6 inches apart, a pound could plant approximately a 4×4 foot bed, depending on clove size and variety.