Garlic Guide
Garlic Comparison Chart
Compare every garlic we carry side by side. Hardneck types (porcelain, rocambole and purple stripe) are cold hardy, peel easily and send up edible scapes. Softnecks have more cloves, braid well and store the longest. Turban, creole and asiatic types are the best fit for warm southern gardens. Plant cloves in fall for a harvest the next summer. Tap any variety to see full details and order.
Softneck
Many cloves, braidable tops and the longest storage life.
zones 3–7Porcelain
4–6 huge, easy-peel cloves. Very cold hardy.
zones 3–7Rocambole
Rich, complex flavor and loose, easy-peel skins.
zones 3–7Purple Stripe
Colorful wrappers; a favorite for roasting and baking.
Softneck (Artichoke) Garlic
| Variety | Days | Cloves / Bulb | Flavor | Best Zones | Storage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 240 | 10–16 | Mild | 6–10 | 6–9 mo. | Most widely grown in the U.S. | |
| 240 | 12–20 | Mild | 3–10 | 6–9 mo. | Award winner; braids well |
Porcelain Hardneck
| Variety | Days | Cloves / Bulb | Flavor | Best Zones | Storage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 240 | 4–6 | Mild | 3–10 | 6–9 mo. | Buttery when roasted | |
| 240 | 8–10 | Medium | 3–10 | 6–7 mo. | Takes the heat; stores well | |
| 240 | 4–5 | Hot | 3–7 | 6–9 mo. | Pungent, lingering finish | |
| 270 | 4–6 | Strong | 3–7 | 6–9 mo. | Classic porcelain sheen | |
| 270 | 4–6 | Strong | 3–10 | 6–9 mo. | Big, easy-peel cloves | |
| 290 | 4–7 | Strong | 3–7 | 6–9 mo. | Very cold hardy; long roots | |
| 290 | 4–6 | Hot | 3–7 | 6–9 mo. | Bred for the far North | |
| 290 | 4–6 | Strong | 3–7 | 9–12 mo. | A garlic lover's favorite | |
| 290 | 4–6 | Hot | 3–7 | 6–9 mo. | Holds shape when cooked |
Rocambole Hardneck
| Variety | Days | Cloves / Bulb | Flavor | Best Zones | Storage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 240 | 10–16 | Hot | 3–7 | 4–6 mo. | Cold hardy; easy to peel | |
| 270 | 8–12 | Strong | 3–7 | 4–6 mo. | Very large bulbs | |
|
270 | 8–10 | Medium | 3–7 | 4–6 mo. | Tolerates damp soil |
| 270 | 8–12 | Strong | 3–7 | 4–6 mo. | Rich gourmet flavor |
When should you plant garlic?
Plant cloves in fall, about 2–4 weeks before the ground freezes, so they grow roots but not tops before winter. In the North that is usually late September to October; in the South, October to December. Mulch after planting and harvest the next summer when the lower leaves turn brown.
Purple Stripe Hardneck
| Variety | Days | Cloves / Bulb | Flavor | Best Zones | Storage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
270 | 4–6 | Hot | 3–7 | 6–8 mo. | Marbled; sharp, lasting bite |
| 270 | 8–12 | Medium | 3–7 | 5–7 mo. | Red-tipped cloves | |
| 270 | 5–7 | Medium | 3–7 | 5–7 mo. | Marbled; thrives in cold | |
| 290 | 5–7 | Hot | 3–7 | 6–8 mo. | Marbled; fiery raw, then mild | |
| 290 | 8–12 | Medium | 3–7 | 5–7 mo. | Top garlic for baking | |
| 290 | 5–7 | Strong | 3–7 | 5–7 mo. | Ukrainian; purple streaked | |
| 290 | 6–8 | Strong | 6–10 | 6–9 mo. | Papery reddish skins |
Turban, Creole & Asiatic
| Variety | Days | Cloves / Bulb | Flavor | Best Zones | Storage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 290 | 6–10 | Hot | 6–10 | 4–6 mo. | Turban; for curries, stir-fries | |
| 290 | 6–10 | Mild | 6–10 | 4–6 mo. | Turban; pink cloves | |
| 290 | 8–12 | Medium | 6–10 | 8–10 mo. | Creole; Italian heritage | |
| 290 | 6–10 | Hot | 6–10 | 5–7 mo. | Asiatic; great for kimchi |
Elephant Garlic & Mixes
| Variety | Days | Cloves / Bulb | Flavor | Best Zones | Storage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 240 | 4–6 | Mild | 6–10 | 8–10 mo. | A leek; huge, mild cloves | |
| 270 | ~8 | Medium | 3–10 | Varies | Calif. Early, Italian Red, Sp. Roja |
Days are counted from fall planting; clove counts and storage life are typical values and vary with climate, soil and curing.