Garlic is a perennial member of the onion family, Alliaceae, and is closely related to leeks, onions, shallots, and chives. All of these plants send up hollow, tubular (sometimes flattened) leaves from a bulb that grows below the ground. The leaves are followed by a flower stalk (scape), and then by the flower itself . Garlic may also produce “bulbils” – tiny bulbs that may begin to sprout, on the flower head. All parts of the garlic plant are edible, but the bulb is the most prized and useful in the kitchen.

Italian Hardneck Organic

Italian Hardneck Organic garlic bulbs are the basic Italian hardneck. This Porcelain garlic produces large bulbs with easy-to-peel purple cloves with spicy, strong flavour. Plant it once and never buy garlic again!

Music Organic

Bulbs of this hardneck porcelain garlic typically have eight cloves, but can be even larger when well grown. These cold-hardy Music garlic seed bulbs have a fine flavour and medium strength.

Red Russian Organic

Red Russian garlic has the ability to withstand soggy winter soils better than any of the others. Expect between 2 and 8 substantial cloves per bulb of this flavourful heirloom garlic variety. Separate the cloves and plant them with the pointed end up in September or October.

Yugoslavian Organic

This classic porcelain rocambole type has been grown in British Columbia for decades. Yugoslavian Organic Porcelain garlic has large bulbs with copper veins and some purple blotches. Expect nine to fourteen cloves per bulb, each with a solid, dark brown skin colour.

Plant cloves from September to the end of November. There is a brief window at the beginning of March when you can plant for a fall harvest, but in this climate garlic performs better if overwintered.

Separate the cloves and set each one, pointed end up, 10-15cm (4-6”) apart and with the tip of the clove 2-5cm (1-2”) deep. Don’t skin the cloves! Use deeper planting if rain or frost may expose the cloves, and shallower planting if using mulch or planting into heavy soil. The largest cloves will make the largest bulbs.

Rich, well drained soil. Dig well, add compost (lots of it if your soil is heavy) and do not compact it by stepping on it. Lime the soil several weeks before planting if the pH is lower than 6.0.

Gaia All Purpose Blend 4-4-4

Gaia All Purpose Blend 4-4-4 Organic Fertilizer combines nine nutrients from high-quality sources. The 2kg resealable pail will fertilize 60m (200') of row for the smaller garden. The large 10 Kg bags will fertilize a garden for several years.

Fertilize when spring growth starts. Water as needed and keep weeded.

The center stalk on hard neck garlic varieties is called a scape. If you let the scape grow it will become a beautiful tiny bloom and eventually become bulbils. If you cut the scape once it starts to curl, they are exceptional when sliced and sauteed and used in your favorite recipes that call for garlic. We find the garlic flavor in the scape is more intense than a garlic bulb.

Garden Bandit

Made in B.C, this handy weeding tool is incredibly strong. The curved stainless steel blade stays firmly fixed to the handle and slices through even the toughest soil. The blade is centered under the handle so you know exactly where you are cutting.

Pinebush Double Hoe

This sturdy steel hand hoe is ideal for hilling up soil around potatoes or carrot tops, or simply moving soil around in a raised bed. Use the fork side to loosen and break up clumps of soil and the hoe side to move it where it is needed.