Zone 5 - What to Plant in October

Zone 5 - What to Plant in October

Zone 5 growers typically have their first frost in mid-October. So going into October there isn't much that can be planted going into decreasing temperatures. There are still a few items that can be planted with success. Garlic, turnips and cover crops can still be successfully planted. Below is a list of items that can be planted in zone 5 in October.

Red Toch is a certified, beautiful garlic with stripes of red and pink! The Red Toch is also know as “Tochliavri” in the small Republic of Georgia village from which it hails. This garlic variety is another vigorous member of the Artichoke family and produces 12 to 18 cloves in a typical bulb. The widely celebrated flavor of the Red Toch has been described by famed garlic symposium organizer Darrell Merrell as “not too mild, not too hot”, and having “a mellow spicy tang with a fragrant aroma.”

Elephant is certified and the largest "garlic" you can get! This variety of "garlic" looks like garlic and tastes like a mild hardneck type, but it is actually a type of leek. Just like its name, Elephant is large with 1 1/2" cloves that have a great mild garlic-like flavor. Elephant's bulbs can easily weigh a pound or more! This variety is very easy peeling and keeps very well. Each bulb averages 3-5 cloves. Approximately 9-14 garlic cloves per pound. Hardneck Garlic

The Purple Top White Globe Turnip is a beautifully purple and white colored turnip that is the best tasting turnip around! This turnip variety has a fine grained root that can grow as big as a baseball! The popular Purple Top White Globe is an excellent yielding turnip that is a great fall crop that gets even better with cold weather.

Chesnok Red garlic is one of the best baking garlic's available! This variety is a fantastic garlic that holds its shape and flavor well when cooked. Its stores well. Chesnok Red is regarded by some as the best all around garlic variety as it has a very beautiful red color.

The Seven Top is a tender, round and beautiful white globed turnip variety that produces consistently for a long period! This turnip is the best variety for producing masses of fine-flavored, old-fashioned, turnip greens that makes the ultimate southern staple!

The Persian Star is a hardneck purple stripe type garlic. The outer skin can grow pure white with inner wrappers that are streaked purple. The red-tipped cloves with marbled streaks on whitish or yellow-brown background. The Persian Star is a very pleasant flavor with a mild spicy zing that is a great addition to any dish!

Bogatyr garlic are small and intense. Its bulb wrappers are thick and parchment-like with white skin showcasing purple and violet stripes. As you peel away the outer wrappers, the purple striping intensifies, becoming almost a solid mix of purple hues surrounding the cloves. A single bulb will house five to six plump cloves. The peeled cloves are creamy white and dense. Bogatyr garlic is known for its fiery, raw heat that diminishes quickly to a mild and pleasant flavor.

The Golden Ball Turnip is a perfectly round, beautiful, eye catching golden turnip with a deliciously wonderful peppery taste! This turnip variety was introduced prior to 1859 and is still going strong! This is one turnip that you will want in your garden for its perfectly shaped 3-4" amber globes.

Georgian Crystal garlic has a rich flavor and mild heat for a Porcelain hardneck. When slow roasted this variety, it has an amazing buttery flavor that melts in your mouth! This garlic grows well throughout the USA, but even better in areas with hot summers. Averages 4-5 cloves per bulb.

Majestic garlic is a hardneck porcelain variety that is discovered by Beaver Pond Estates. This variety is a porcelain garlic so it does best in colder climates and develops large bulbs with a mild flavor. This garlic will mature later in the season and has excellent storage life.

Ajo Rojo garlic has a delicious mild and creamy flavor. This variety comes from Spain and is very similar to the Creole Red but is a beautiful and distinctive garlic. The Ajo Rojo is mild and creamy when baked, but watch out if consuming raw - the heat comes on slowly and builds to intense!

The Nootka Rose garlic is certified, and has a strong and aggressive flavor great for cooking. The Nootka Rose garlic was created on a farm in Washington State. The cloves have a dark coloration that are typically brown with red streaks. The Nootka Rose's bulbs tend to yield anywhere from 15-24 cloves each. This variety is a very long storing silverskin garlic. Approximately 12-15 garlic bulbs per pound. Approximately 15-24 cloves per bulb.

Spanish Roja garlic is a certified, early season garlic harvest! This variety is a gourmet best-selling garlic for home gardens with an excellent classic rich flavor! Each bulb has about 8-12 cloves. Spanish Roja's outer wrapper varies in color, from a rich cream to deep purple stripes. Its cloves are large with a brownish red color and are easy to peel. This garlic keeps well, 4-6 months. During curing, many bulbs lose their stems. Approximately 8-12 cloves/ bulb. Approximately 65-85 garlic cloves/ pound.

Lorz Italian garlic, known for its exceptional flavor and culinary versatility, is a beloved garlic variety that hails from Italy. It is renowned for its unique characteristics that set it apart from other garlic varieties. Lorz Italian garlic typically produces medium to large-sized bulbs, often ranging from 2 to 2.5 inches (5 to 6.4 centimeters) in diameter. These bulbs are composed of multiple cloves, typically numbering between 8 to 12 cloves per bulb. One of the standout features of Lorz Italian garlic is its distinct flavor profile. It boasts a rich and robust garlic flavor with a subtle, sweet undertone, making it a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike. Its cloves are easy to peel and have a slightly spicy kick, which adds depth and complexity to a wide range of dishes. Lorz Italian garlic is versatile in the kitchen, lending its bold flavor to sauces, soups, roasted dishes, and more. Gardeners and garlic enthusiasts often appreciate Lorz Italian garlic for its adaptability to various growing conditions and climates. It can thrive in both cold and warm regions, making it a reliable choice for home gardeners looking to cultivate their garlic crop. With its generous number of cloves per bulb, Lorz Italian garlic is a popular choice for those who enjoy growing their garlic and harvesting bulbs with plenty of individual cloves for planting or culinary use.

Creme de la Rasa garlic is a hardneck variety that produces large, plump purple cloves! It is mild in heat, but rich in flavor. It is known to be hardy in the field, making it ideal for farmers! It is one of the several purple striped varieties we are offering this season!

German White garlic, scientifically known as Allium sativum 'German White,' is a popular garlic variety revered for its mild yet robust flavor and large bulb size. This garlic variety typically produces bulbs that are noticeably larger than other common garlic types, with a single bulb often reaching a diameter of 2 to 2.5 inches (5 to 6.35 cm). These bulbs are encased in a papery, white skin that protects the cloves within. Inside each German White garlic bulb, you'll find an impressive number of individual cloves. On average, a single bulb can contain anywhere from 6 to 8 cloves, although some bulbs may yield even more. These cloves are typically medium to large in size and are known for their easy-to-peel, plump, and juicy characteristics. German White garlic is favored by many chefs and home cooks alike for its versatile culinary applications, making it a staple in various dishes, from roasts to sauces, due to its well-balanced garlic flavor that isn't overpowering. In addition to its culinary appeal, German White garlic is also sought after for its adaptability in different climates and its ability to store well. Its robust growth and resistance to diseases make it a reliable choice for home gardeners and commercial growers. Overall, German White garlic is celebrated for its impressive bulb size and the generous number of cloves it offers, making it a cherished ingredient in the kitchen and an excellent addition to any garlic enthusiast's garden.

Leningrad garlic, also known as Russian Red garlic or Allium sativum 'Leningrad,' is a distinctive garlic variety renowned for its robust flavor and impressive adaptability. This heirloom garlic hails from the city of Leningrad, now known as Saint Petersburg, in Russia. It is characterized by its large, purple-striped bulbs and rich, complex flavor profile. Leningrad garlic is classified as a hardneck garlic, meaning it produces a woody central stalk called a scape, which can be harvested and used in culinary applications as well. One of the standout features of Leningrad garlic is its ability to thrive in colder climates. It is well-suited for regions with harsh winters, making it a favorite among northern gardeners. The cloves are typically planted in the fall and harvested in mid-summer the following year. Leningrad garlic is appreciated for its strong, spicy flavor with a hint of sweetness, which intensifies when roasted. Its cloves are easy to peel, making it a convenient choice for home cooks and chefs alike.

German Giant is just like its name says, a very large garlic with an excellent flavor! This garlic variety is a large garlic that has become popular for its strong, spicy flavor. Many believe German Giant to be one of the best tasting garlics available! This garlic is off-white often with deep purple streaks. Approximately 6 garlic bulbs per pound. Approximately 6-8 cloves per bulb.