Grow Your Own Garlic: Types, Flavors & How to Use Them
Garlic is one of the easiest and most rewarding crops to grow. It’s low-maintenance, flavorful, and doubles as a garden companion that naturally helps deter pests. But not all garlic is the same—different types offer different flavors, growing preferences, and uses in the kitchen. Here’s how to choose the right garlic for your garden and your plate.
What Kind of Garlic Should You Grow?
Your climate and taste preference will help determine the best type to grow. Let’s break down the three main kinds:
Softneck Garlic
Best for: Milder climates, long storage, garlic braids
Flavor: Mild, smooth, and versatile
Softneck garlic is the kind you’ll usually find in grocery stores. It’s adaptable, stores for up to a year, and is perfect for braiding thanks to its flexible stems. It has many small cloves and a less intense flavor—great for everyday cooking. Softneck is especially productive and grows well in warmer zones with mild winters.
Best for: Mild winters and warm climates (zones 7–10)
Planting Time:
Fall: The ideal time—plant 4 to 6 weeks before your first hard frost.
Spring: In very mild climates, you can plant in early spring, but bulbs may be smaller.
Why fall? Cooler weather helps develop strong roots before winter dormancy and larger bulbs in spring.
Harvest tip: Harvest softneck garlic when the leaves begin to dry and yellow.
Hardneck Garlic
Best for: Cold climates, bold flavor lover Best for: Cold climates with hard freezes (zones 3–7)
Flavor: Robust, spicy, and complex
Planting Time:
Fall only: Plant 4 to 6 weeks before the ground freezes. This allows roots to establish while avoiding premature top growth.
Spring planting is not recommended for hardneck varieties—they need a cold period ("vernalization") to develop bulbs properly.
Flavor: Robust, spicy, and complex
Hardneck garlic grows a stiff central stalk and fewer, larger cloves. It thrives in colder regions and produces edible scapes—tender green shoots with a subtle garlic taste that are delicious in stir-fries or pesto. The bulbs don’t store quite as long (6–8 months), but the flavor is rich and layered, especially when roasted.
Bonus: Hardneck cloves are easier to peel—great when cooking in large batches.
Elephant Garlic
Best for: Mild garlic fans, eye-catching harvests: Mild to moderate climates (zones 5–9)
Flavor: Mild, sweet, and slightly onion-like
Planting Time:
Fall: Preferred—plant 2 to 4 weeks before the first frost.
Spring: Possible in mild climates, but fall planting yields larger bulbs.
Like softneck, Elephant garlic prefers fall planting for robust bulb development but is more forgiving if planted in early spring.
Despite the name, Elephant garlic is closer to a leek than true garlic. It produces giant bulbs with a gentle, slightly sweet flavor. It’s great roasted whole or used in recipes where you want garlic flavor without the sharp bite.
Fun fact: Its size alone makes it a conversation starter in the garden—and at the dinner table.
Braiding Softneck Garlic
Braiding isn’t just for looks—it helps with airflow and long-term storage. Here’s a quick how-to:
Harvest & Dry: Pull garlic when leaves begin to brown. Let dry in a shaded, airy spot for a few days.
Trim & Sort: Remove excess soil and trim roots, keeping stems long.
Braid: Start with three bulbs, weaving in more as you go. Tie the top with twine.
Store: Hang in a cool, dry spot out of direct sunlight.
What Are Garlic Scapes?
Scapes are the curly green shoots that pop up from hardneck garlic in late spring. They’re edible and packed with flavor—milder than bulbs, and great raw or cooked. Trim them early to redirect the plant’s energy into growing big, healthy bulbs.
Try using scapes in pesto, compound butter, or grilled as a side dish.
Growing Tips for Garlic Success
Choose the right type: Softneck for warm climates and long storage; hardneck for flavor and cold-hardiness.
Plant time: Fall is ideal, but early spring works too.
Spacing: 2" deep, 6" apart in rich, well-drained soil.
Watering: Keep soil moist but not soggy.
Feeding: Use a balanced organic fertilizer when shoots emerge.
Harvesting: Wait for leaves to yellow—don’t pull too early.
Want to get started?
Try growing Park Seed’s softneck garlic this season. With the right care, you’ll be braiding, roasting, and gifting your homegrown garlic in no time.
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