Topic: Recommendations for garlic varieties

[Toshofthe Wuffingas]

That time of year is getting close again. I haven't grown garlic for years and when I did it was grocery-bought cloves. Now I have an allotment I intend to try again but I need some recommendations. There are so many varieties now. I already have Elephant garlic on order but would like 2 or 3 more varieties, ideally fairly different from each other to try out. I have a light soil but compost and fertility is not a problem. I'd like some that are good eaten fresh and others that store well.
What do the experienced garlic growers suggest?

[shirlton]

If you want to store the garlic then buy soft neck cos it keeps longer.(Just summat I found out on here amongst the million other things)

[BarriedaleNick]

Marco is always a good standby for me ...

[Poolcue]

I grow Albignesian Wright,it is a soft neck and I get a decent crop every year.

[Paulh]

I grew Sprint for the first time this year (I was sent it as a substitute for what I ordered) and was impressed - largest bulbs of any variety I have grown.

I grow a mixture of hard and soft necks as they keep for different periods, ripen at different times etc. Purple Wight is a constant, Jolimont is good, the others are what are on offer!

[Toshofthe Wuffingas]

Thanks for the advice, it gives me some pointers to start trying out varieties for flavour. I guess the hard necked ones are best for young fresh garlic plus I gather you can eat the young stalks.

[Alex133]

Lautrec is a lovely mauvish hardneck and Solent Wight excellent soft neck for keeping (ate last 2011 bulb in about June 2012).

[Lottiman]

Grew Marco this year for the first time and I was very impressed .

[Deb P]

Also a big fan of Marco, kept and resown my own for the past two years, great results.

[Lottiman]

Also a big fan of Marco, kept and resown my own for the past two years, great results.


Ive never tried re sowing my own cloves so this time I shall give it a go , thanks for the idea.