Garlic

[Tator2k]

Mine just started poking through the 4 inches or so covering them. My hops are starting to take off as well.

[SkunkedAgain]

My garlic is knee-high now and I'm waiting for the scapes to really start shooting up. They seem to be loving this wet weather.

[Tator2k]

Ironically, my 2nd year plants are rocking. But 75%+ of the bulbs I bought at the MN Garlic Fest never took.

[SkunkedAgain]

I cut off most of my scapes yesterday. Fantastic garlic flavor

[Tator2k]

I was going to do mine, but forgot. I'll make a pesto with mine. A little olive oil, S&P and parm.

[Kyle]

Can anyone recommend a good variety for northern MN? Keep in mind, heavy soils(clay loam), and less growing degree days. Also:

What is your favorite variety to eat?

Where do you like to buy your garlic seed?

What kind of fertility system do you use?

[KEN W]

You can buy garlic in the grocery store.Break the head up into individual cloves and plant them.Using seed isn't necessary.Plant them in Oct and harvest next summer.

[Kyle]

Thanks, but I'm interested in planting different varieties than what the local grocery stores sell....

Anyone know where I can buy some right now that has a few good varieties?

[Big-Al]

Any of the catalog outfits have it. I grow German Red.

[smurfy]

You can buy garlic in the grocery store.Break the head up into individual cloves and plant them.Using seed isn't necessary.Plant them in Oct and harvest next summer.

have you tried this from store bought garlic????? reason I ask is#1 this will be my first go round with growing my own, and #2 I was told not to but the stuff in the stores because it has some sort of growth inhibitor sprayed on it???

[Kyle]

The stuff you buy in the store is not grown in heavy clay soils with harsh winters. It's grown in a much warmer climate, and there fore will not likely do well in my area.

[KEN W]

I work in produce at a large grocery store.Most of the garlic we sell comes from China.If in the store for to long it sprouts and must be thrown away.So it will grow.

[smurfy]

thanks ken I may try that!!!!!!!!

[SkunkedAgain]

I work in produce at a large grocery store.Most of the garlic we sell comes from China.If in the store for to long it sprouts and must be thrown away.So it will grow.

The only part about this that's correct is that Ken works in a grocery store and his garlic likely comes from China. The rest of his advice is wrong.

Grocery store garlic, unless specifically marketed otherwise, is softneck garlic either grown in California or China. Their climates are much different than MN. Yes the grocery store garlic sprouts on its own. If you want to try growing garlic on your countertop...then go for it. If you're going to plant it in MN soil, then you are going to be disappointed. It either won't survive or will struggle.

Garlic should be planted in MN around the first frost in the fall and should be a hardneck variety. You can find those at farmers markets, online, or you could have gotten it at the MN Garlic Festival. Hardy garlics that can grow in MN also need the winter in order to grow to its fullest potential. They sprout early in the spring and are ready to harvest by late July/early August.

If you want to learn the basics about growing garlic in MN, go to your favorite search engine and type in "Growing Garlic In Minnesota" and your first hit or so should be from the UofM Extension Office. It's a great starting point for learning about how to grow here.

[Kyle]

SkunkedAgain,

I was going to say the same.

Just because it sprouts, doesn't mean it will yield.

I'm an agronomist, so am not unfamiliar with plant world to say the least. I've never grown garlic so figured I would get some opinions on where to buy and what kind... I got the answers I was looking for on another platform. Thanks

[th64]

Could not find German Red at the STP Farmers Market. Anyone know where I can find It?

Thanks

[mainbutter]

Can anyone recommend a good variety for northern MN? Keep in mind, heavy soils(clay loam), and less growing degree days.

We have had good luck with German Extra Hardy garlic. It's productive for us and fantastic to cook with. We aren't UP NORTH, but we are north of the cities a couple hours drive. We have sandy soil, not heavy clay.

[Grainbelt]

Territorial Seed Co

[CrowWingBasser]

We have grown garlic in the Bemidji, Mn. area for a number of years. Have only used German Porcelain & Northern White from Jung Seeds in Wisconsin. They both do well in our area.

[th64]

Thanks GB

[SkunkedAgain]

Who has planted their garlic already? I'm putting mine in the ground this weekend

[CrowWingBasser]

Planted mine last Friday. Always kind of tough to judge the onset of winter. But because of our low temps. (12 degrees on Monday) I have covered it with mulch as well.

[Big-Al]

I put mine in a little earlier than usual this year. One plot went in about three weeks ago and the other about two weeks ago.

[pushbutton]

Just planted 79 cloves a few hours ago, but had to take one out because there was no garlic left for the brunch taters

[SkunkedAgain]

It took a while, but I finally planted about 20 or 25 cloves on Friday. I covered with leaves and will see what the late planting means.

I intentionally avoided eating the bulbs with the biggest looking cloves. Man, some of those were monsters! I'm hoping for a bumper crop next year