Heres what to know about different types of garlic and how to grow them.
There are two main types ofgarlic: softneck and hardneck.
The term neck refers to the stalk or stem, meaning soft stem or hard stem garlic.
Credit:Andy Lyons
Each offers pros and cons for growing them in your garden.
From a horticultural perspective, there are 11 groups of garlic: three softneck and eight hardneck.
The three softneck types are artichoke, silverskin, and Middle Eastern.
(Recently, there is talk that Creole may be in a group of its own).
Softneck Garlic
Softneck garlic is more common than hardneck and is typically found at the grocery store.
Softneckgarlic can be stored for longer periods, often up to 12 months.
Compared to hardnecks, the peel often has a papery texture that can be difficult to remove.
The cloves are small, so youll find numerous cloves in each garlic head.
The flavor is mild, making them suitable for most recipes.
you could plant softnecks in your garden in both fall and spring.
If youopt for spring planting, youll have a later harvest.
Softneck garlic does better in warmer climates with mild winters and hot summer days.
It also matures faster than hardneck types of garlic.
It is adaptable tomany climates and regionsand has a mild flavor.
Bulbs store for about six months, and each bulb typically has around six big cloves.
California Late
California Late, as the name implies, is harvested later than California Early.
With a classic garlic flavor, this variety is hotter, although theflavor mellows when roasted.
This garlic bulb usually has around 12-16 cloves and can typically be stored for up to 12 months.
These bulbs store for up to 10 months.
Each bulb produces around 11 cloves.
This garlic has a robust, hot flavor, butit becomes sweet when cooked.
This garlic variety does well in the summer heat.
An adaptable cultivar, this garlic grows well in northern and southern regions and can handle the summer heat.
Red Toch is fabulous for braiding.
This variety stores well for around nine months.
Hardneck Garlic
Hardneck garlic has bigger cloves and a more robust flavor than softneck garlic.
It is more commonly found at farmers markets than at grocery stores.
If you grow hardneck garlic in your garden, plant it in the fall for asummer harvest.
This is another reason why theyre planted in the fall.
Growing Rocambole requires cold winters, and this variety won’t do well in warm temperatures.
These also have a shorter storage life, so theyre best enjoyed in early fall.
This variety is known for its potent flavor and can be stored for a long time.
It is cold-hardy and disease-resistant, making it a favorite for gardeners and commercial growers to cultivate.
German White is also known as German Extra Hardy.
The flavor ismild and ideal for cooking, chopping, or grating into a salad.
Persian Star
The Persian Star grows well in most regions in the United States.
It is a beautiful garlic that stands out for its red-striped bulb.
When roasted or sauteed, the flavor is sweet.
This garlic can also be eaten raw insalad dressingssince the flavor isnt overpowering.
Each bulb produces up to 12 cloves.
Purple Stripe
Purple Stripe is ideal for growing in cold regions.
It not only stores well, but the flavor develops over time.
It is best to enjoy it in the late fall and early winter.
It can grow in cold climates as well as warmer regions.
This variety is named for its porcelain color.
A bulb typically has around 11 cloves.
One of the best ways to decide is by knowing what grows well in your geographical region.
If you live in a region with a mild climate, consider a softneck.
In some areas, people can plant both softnecks and hardnecks.
Depending on your region, you may plant garlic as early as September or as late as November.
In cold climates where the ground freezes, garlic must have time to root and establish itself.
