Types of Garlic

Types of Garlic

Before you start selecting which variety of garlic you want, you should understand the types that are available.  While there are many varieties of garlic, there are two main types -Softneck and Hardneck.

Softneck Garlic does not produce a flower, has a soft/flexible stem, is good for braiding, does well in warmer and cold climates and stores the longest.  Also, this type of garlic produces cloves in several layers around the central stem.  Softneck garlic tend to have a mild flavor.  Softnecks are preferred by commercial growers because of their long storage life.  French Red Garlic is one of the softneck varieties that I’ve grown in the past.

Hardneck Garlic produces a flower scape, has a hard stem, grows well in  cooler climates, but doesn’t store as long as the softnecks.   Hardnecks produce larger cloves.   Hardneck varieties are known to have more complex flavors.   Spanish Roja Garlic is one of the hardneck varieties that I have grown.

Previously, we reviewed the types of radishes.

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