Garlic. It’s Worth the Wait.
Patience is an overrated virtue in my book. That’s why I tend to grow a lot of instant gratification crops that are ready to eat in a matter of weeks, like baby greens, radishes, cilantro, and arugula. So what did I find myself doing on Monday? Planting garlic.
It won’t be ready until June.
Garlic comes in red, purple, brown, white and silver skinned varieties. Its flavor ranges from subtle and sweet to clear-you-nose hot. Some garlic varieties are better for baking, others are well suited for roasting, stir frying, or even pickling. But the only garlic bulbs you’ll find at the grocery store are big, white, and boring. So I decided to try being patient and grow my own.
Rather than choose just one variety, I set all moderation aside and ordered six. I am growing hardneck types (the bulbs literally grow clustered around a hard, central core or “neck”) because they produce a bonus flower bud in spring called a scape. These curvaceous buds have a subtle garlic flavor and a lovely tender texture…and they are ready in April or May. Hurrah!
Here’s what I’m growing:
‘Ukranian Red’. It’s strongly flavored cloves come wrapped in brownish skins streaked with red and purple. So lovely.
‘Chesnok Red’. Known for retaining its hot flavor, even when cooked. This quality makes it a good candidate for baking. I’m already plotting to make ‘Chesnok Red’ garlic studded foccacia.
‘Musik’. Love that name. Plus, this puppy stores for up to a year. It’s truly a keeper.
‘German White’. Classic big white bulbs belie this garlic’s distinctive spicy flavor.
‘German Extra Hardy’. These cloves have an extra high sugar content, which makes them well suited for roasting.
‘Methechi’. This garlic an has intense, hot flavor. It matures late, but I’ve been assured it’s worth the wait.
I ordered garlic from my friend Dan, a garlic enthusiast turned amateur garlic entrepreneur. Before I planted the cloves, I watched the garlic planting slide show on OrganicGardening.com.
Yes, garlic takes A LONG TIME to mature. My only advice is plant it in an area you won’t miss using. It will be there for darn near 3/4 of a year!
November 20th, 2008 at 6:47 pmGood advice! I decided to plant it down the middle of my smallest bed, figuring that I can put rotating crops of greens, radishes, and beets on either side and warm season crops after I pull the garlic. And I planted the rest along the backside of a bed. So hopefully it all works out!
November 21st, 2008 at 11:09 amWithout a doubt, Chesnok Red is my favorite garlic to grow and EAT! My husband and I have been growing garlic in our garden for the last 10 years and our garden wouldn’t be complete without it. We’ve grown all the varities that Willi is planting (plus some) and next year, we’re only going to grow Chesnok Red.
It is so worth the wait when you have a crop of fresh garlic to add to all your cooking!
November 21st, 2008 at 11:32 pmI’ve been planting garlic, too, because we love it & use a lot of it, but also hoping it will help discourage deer in our unfenced
yard. Thanks for the tips on all of the varieties!
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:40 pmDo you think it’s too late to order and plant garlic?
November 25th, 2008 at 1:51 pmSarah. It depends where you live. If you live in the PNW, it’s not too late. A friend of mine once planted garlic in January and still got a good harvest (though I wouldn’t recommend waiting that long!). If you live elsewhere, I’d ring up your local Master Gardeners and ask them for their advice.
November 26th, 2008 at 10:35 amWilli,
I’d like to plant some garlic—I know it’s a little late in the season, but it’s been so warm in Seattle. The link above to your friend Dan’s website doesn’t work. Is there a local source in Seattle where I can buy bulbs to plant? Swansons maybe?
Thanks.
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:26 pmLori–It’s not too late to plant. I would call around to the local nurseries to see if they still have bulbs. Swansons would be a good start. I’d also check with Walt’s Organic Fertilizer in Ballard and I saw some at West Seattle nursery not too long ago! Good luck.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:27 amThanks for the quick response and leads on finding garlic! Love this blog!
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:36 am