Garlic is a popular crop for home gardeners, offering flavors and varieties often unavailable in grocery stores. Successfully growing your own garlic begins not with planting, but with selecting the correct material, which is known specifically as seed garlic. This planting stock is not the same as the bulbs purchased for cooking, as it must be viable, healthy, and properly prepared for propagation. Understanding where to source this specialized material is the first step toward a successful harvest next summer.
Understanding Seed Garlic Versus Culinary Garlic
The garlic bulb found in the produce aisle of a supermarket is generally not suitable for planting a crop. Culinary garlic is often treated with chemical sprout inhibitors, such as maleic hydrazide, to prevent sprouting during storage and transit. This treatment substantially reduces the likelihood that a clove will successfully germinate and grow when planted.
A significant concern is the health of the planting material, as culinary garlic is not typically certified disease-free. Planting cloves from an unknown source risks introducing serious soil-borne pathogens, like white rot or parasitic nematodes, into the garden. These diseases can contaminate the soil for years, affecting future allium crops. Seed garlic, conversely, consists of the largest, healthiest, and best-graded bulbs from a harvest, specifically selected to ensure genetic purity and robust growth.
Primary Retail Sources for Planting Stock
Specialized seed companies and online retailers are the most reliable source for obtaining high-quality planting stock. These vendors usually offer the widest selection of different varieties, including many heirloom and regional options. Reputable online suppliers often provide certified organic or disease-tested stock, ensuring the material is free from common pathogens. Due to the typical fall planting schedule, it is necessary to pre-order from these companies as early as spring or summer, as they ship the bulbs in late September through mid-October.
Local nurseries and garden centers provide a convenient option for last-minute purchases in the fall. These businesses often stock varieties proven to perform well in the immediate geographic region, simplifying the selection process. While the variety selection may be more limited than online specialty stores, direct purchase means the stock is immediately available and requires less pre-planning. You should still inquire about the source of their garlic to confirm its quality.
Another avenue for securing unique planting material is through local growers at farmers’ markets or farm stands. These growers often cultivate rare, heirloom varieties uniquely adapted to the local microclimate, resulting in exceptional flavor and performance. When purchasing, it is wise to ask about their growing practices to confirm the garlic was grown using safe methods and that the grower actively selects for disease-free stock. Selecting a grower who is part of a local certification or co-op program can provide extra confidence regarding the health of the bulbs.
Selecting the Right Variety Based on Your Climate
The choice between the two main types of garlic—hardneck and softneck—is determined by the winter climate of your region. Hardneck garlic (Allium sativum ssp. ophioscorodon) is the preferred choice for gardeners in colder areas, generally USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 6. This type requires vernalization, an extended period of cold exposure (typically at least ten weeks at 40°F or less), to stimulate proper bulb formation.
Hardnecks are known for their bold, complex flavors and produce an edible flower stalk known as a scape in the late spring. However, the stiff central stalk means the bulbs do not braid well, and their thinner skins result in a shorter storage life, often lasting only three to five months. Varieties like ‘German Extra Hardy’ or ‘Music’ are popular choices for colder climates.
Softneck garlic (Allium sativum ssp. sativum) is better suited for regions with milder winters and hot summers, thriving in Zone 7 and warmer. Unlike hardnecks, softnecks do not produce a rigid central stalk or scapes, making them ideal for braiding, which is how they are often displayed in grocery stores. The layers of cloves wrap around a soft core, and they contain many smaller cloves per bulb. Softneck varieties, such as ‘Inchelium Red’ or ‘California Early,’ are favored for their longer storage capability, often remaining viable for six to nine months.