Different Types Of Garlic: Garlic Varieties To Grow In Your Garden

Garlic is a popular ingredient used in a variety of cooking styles around the world. It not only enhances the flavour of dishes, but also offers numerous health benefits. Basically there are two primary types of garlic (hardneck and softneck garlic), each type includes dozens, if not hundreds, of unique categories, and each of these has its own distinct flavour and characteristics.

In this article, we will try to cover different garlic varieties and what makes each special for you! From their flavor profiles to their culinary uses, we will uncover the fascinating details that set each variety apart.

How Garlic Is Classified 

Garlic comes in two categories: hardneck and softneck. Understanding the difference between these types will help you to decide what kind of garlic you want to grow in your garden.These categories are based on each variety’s tendency to develop flower stalks, its hardiness, and its clove formation pattern.

Hardneck vs softneck garlic — what’s the difference?

Detailed difference is explained below:

Hardneck Garlic

• It typically has a shorter storage duration, lasting around 4-6 months under optimal conditions. 
• Fewer cloves per bulb than softneck, but the cloves are larger in size.
• Hardneck is best suited for cooler climates and northern regions(Northern zones 8), where winters are cold enough to facilitate proper bulb development.
• Hardneck develops a rigid, central stalk (scape) that emerges from the bulb. The scape is edible and adds a unique culinary bonus. 
• Hardneck garlic is renowned for its bold, rich, spicier, and complex flavour profile, and is preferred where garlic taste flavour is desired.
• You can peel it easily due to its thicker and more brittle skin.
• It requires vernalization (40 days at or below 40˚F) for proper growth.
• There are hundreds of named hardneck garlic class, including ‘Rocambole’, ‘German White’, ‘ Metechi‘, ‘Purple Glazer‘, ‘Siberian‘, Porcelain’, ‘Chesnok Red‘, and ‘Spanish Roja‘.

Softneck Garlic

• Softneck has an excellent storage life, often lasting up to 9-12 months. 
• Most of the garlic variety you will find in the market is softneck.
• They have different varieties, usually producing more cloves per bulb (No. of cloves per bulb – up to 18), making them more productive in terms of quantity.
• Softneck garlic has a milder taste.
• They are more adaptable to a wider range of climates, including warmer regions.
• It has pliable stems, making them ideal for braiding and attractive storage.
• Generally, Softneck garlic offers a milder flavor than the hardneck type. which may not be as desirable for some culinary uses.
• This variety of garlic is less tolerant of prolonged cold temperatures if you compare hardneck type, therefore it is best suited to growing in milder southern counties in the UK.
• They don’t generally form a scape, so you can’t enjoy this culinary bonus.
• They grow better in warmer climates (i.e. generally not the Northeast) and aren’t as cold-hardy as hardnecks. This is important to note, because garlic is generally planted in fall and overwinters in the ground.
•  Softneck garlic has few varieties, including ‘Inchelium Red‘, ‘California Softneck‘, ‘California Early‘, ‘Italian Loiacono‘, and ‘Silver White‘.

Garlic Varieties For Planting

Timing plays a crucial role in the process of successful garlic cultivation. No matter which kind of garlic you choose for your garden, the planting methods remain the same. Both hardneck and softneck garlic require a period of cold weather for proper development.

Garlic can be planted in two seasons: spring and autumn. Most garlic varieties like to be planted in the autumn. They grow better after a cold winter. But there are few special varieties that can be planted in spring. As you know both require cold spell,  so be sure to plant your garlic before March.

Choosing The Right Time To Plant Garlic

Timing is crucial for growing garlic. Planting time of hardneck and softneck varieties is differ, but both require a cold period to thrive.

• Hardneck Type: It is best suited for colder climates. It needs a longer cold spell. Therefore it is suggested to Plant it in the fall before the ground freezes.
• Softneck Type: It is more adaptable to various climates, softneck garlic can be planted slightly later than hardneck. However, always plant before the ground freezes.

Essential Steps: Prepare Garlic for Successful Planting

Before planting, it is necessary to crack the heads of garlic open and separate the inner cloves. You do not need to remove their papery covering. Prefer to plant the biggest cloves, leave smaller cloves for kitchen use. The cloves are planted pointy end up. Put them five to six inches apart, three inches down. A knife is a great garlic-planting tool because it cuts through the soil easily and you can easily estimate the hole depth using the markings on the blade.

Conclusion

The best type of garlic depends on your climate and how you like to cook. Hardneck garlic is best for cold climates because it thrives better in colder regions. It offers bold flavors and edible scapes but has a shorter storage life. Softneck garlic is a better choice for warmer areas. It has a milder taste, and can be stored longer.  Plant garlic in the fall before winter (before the ground freezes) for the best results.

After understanding all these differences, I hope you can select the right garlic category for your garden, and enjoy its rich flavours and health benefits. For more about variety recommendations and gardening tips visit our blog regularly.

FAQs