A Fresh Start for Spring Garlic Growers
Garlic is a popular crop grown in kitchen gardens and vegetable gardens worldwide, even though most people do their planting in the fall. If you missed that window, don’t worry—spring planting works well, especially with softneck garlic varieties that mature quicker and suit milder climates. I always start my garlic in pots in a protected spot before moving them outdoors, giving me a better garlic harvest even with a shorter growing season. In cold climates, try hardneck garlic for a good harvest, but expect slightly smaller bulbs than fall plantings due to less time in the soil.
Best Garlic Types to Plant This Spring Season
If you’re new to spring planting, choosing the right garlic varieties can make a huge difference in your summer harvest. I’ve found softneck garlic bulbs like California Early and Silver Rose perfect for warmer planting locations, thanks to their storage life, mild flavor, and ability to braid garlic easily. One of my favorites is Early Italian, a versatile garlic variety that matures quickly and offers 8-12 cloves per head. If you’re dealing with a colder climate or using a fridge for cold exposure, try hardneck garlic types like Chesnok Red or German White—just give them about eight weeks of chill time before planting. Their robost flavor and sweet taste really stand out when sautéing or roasting.
Flavors From Kitchen
For cooks who like intensity, German Red brings that bold, spicy flavor that fills your kitchens with aroma. Curious about why is the garlic purple? Varieties like Chesnok Red and Nootka Rose often have stunning purple-stripe or red-streaked wrappers due to natural pigments that also reveal their complex flavor. I usually get my bulbs from True Leaf Market or Nature Hills, where certified, disease-free types like Inchelium Red, a famous heirloom from Washington, are easy to find. For those interested in European heritage, try Solent Wight or Cristo, from France’s Massif Central or Hungary’s Szeged, and dig into a bit of slow food history. Whether you’re after large yields or just looking to sample popular types, these varieties promise full, vibrant bulbs for the upcoming season.
Wrap-Up: Finding the Right Garlic for Your Garden
If you ask what garlic can be planted in spring, choose softneck varieties like California White, Early Italian, or California Early, which are better suited for warm climates and store longer. What is the best garlic to plant in the fall? Without doubt, hardneck garlic like Music, Purple Glazer, or Chesnok Red thrive in cooler climates and form bulbs well with a proper cold period in USDA Zones 1-6. For those wondering should I grow hardneck or softneck garlic, look at your growing zone—hardneck types are perfect for colder regions, while softneck garlic is ideal for USDA Zones 7-10 and spring planting. I’ve even had success growing garlic in clay soil, as long as the ground is worked early—around 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date—and the right garlic variety is planted.
