For a successful first-time garlic growing experience, choosing the right variety is key. Opt for a variety that is proven to perform well in growing conditions similar to your own. The best place to start? See what's available at your local farmers' markets and from local growers.
Garlic is divided into two main categories: softneck and hardneck. Which one is right for you?
Softneck Garlic: The Storage Champion
Softneck varieties are what you typically find in grocery stores, featuring numerous cloves of varying sizes. Since they don't produce a flower stalk, their necks remain soft and flexible, making them perfect for creating those beautiful decorative braids.
Although often considered a warm-climate garlic, many softneck varieties are perfectly suited for growing in Canada, provided they have an extra layer of protective mulch for the winter. Their biggest advantage: they store exceptionally well under the right conditions.
Hardneck Garlic: Robust Cloves with Intense Flavour
Hardneck varieties produce fewer cloves, but they are typically larger and boast a more pronounced flavour. They grow a stiff central flower stalk called a scape. It's essential to cut the scape off in early summer so the plant directs its energy into developing the bulb.
This scape is a delicious bonus! Finely chop it to add a mild, fresh garlic taste to your stir-fries, salads, and dressings. Being hardier, hardneck garlic cloves are more resilient to our cold winters. They don't store for quite as long as their softneck cousins, but can still last for up to six months.
Pro Tip: Regardless of your choice, always buy your seed garlic from a local grower or a reputable garden centre. Avoid supermarket garlic, which is often treated to prevent sprouting.
Great Garlic Families to Grow in Canada
Certain garlic families have already proven their worth in our Canadian gardens. They meet three key criteria: vigorous plants, large bulbs, and above all, exceptional taste!
Porcelain
- A hardneck variety
- Very hardy and cold-resistant
- Large bulbs that are easy to peel
- Rich and mild flavour
- Vigorous plants, an excellent choice for beginners
- 4 to 6 very large cloves per bulb
- Popular varieties: Music, German Extra Hardy, Northern Quebec
Rocambole
- A hardneck variety
- Widely grown across Canada
- Requires cold winter temperatures to thrive
- Powerful, rich, and complex flavour
- 7 to 10 easy-to-peel cloves per bulb
- A favourite among true garlic lovers!
- Popular varieties: Spanish Roja, German Red, Killarney Red
Purple Stripe
- A hardneck variety
- Very cold hardy
- Its tight wrappers help it store for longer
- Perfect for roasting
- Its sweet flavour intensifies over time
- 8 to 10 cloves per bulb
- Popular varieties: Chesnok Red, Russian Red, Persian Star
Artichoke
- A softneck variety
- Grows well in Ontario, Quebec, and Eastern Canada
- 10 to 14 cloves of different sizes per bulb
- Stores very well, from 8 to 10 months
- Good, classic garlic taste, but less complex
- Named for the way its cloves are layered, like an artichoke
- Popular varieties: Inchelium Red, Italian Softneck
Silverskin
- A softneck variety
- The best of all for very long storage (often over a year)
- Ideal for braiding thanks to its soft yet durable neck
- Less hardy, requires a thick layer of winter mulch in Canada
- Flavour is quite strong and intensifies over time
- Produces many small to medium-sized cloves
- Popular varieties: Nootka Rose, Silver White, Kettle River Giant
Note: The names you see like 'Music' or 'Spanish Roja' are specific varieties (or cultivars). Each one belongs to a larger family. When you're shopping, you're choosing a specific variety based on your taste and climate!
Now that you have everything you need to select the perfect variety, it's time to get your hands dirty! To learn all the planting steps, check out the complete guide here: Planting and growing garlic in the vegetable garden this fall. The countdown to a delicious harvest starts now!
