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Garlic Varieties available in our store: Click Here

There are two main types of garlic; Hardneck and Softneck see below for the characteristics for both.

Hardneck garlic is a group of cultivars selected from Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon originating from climates with colder winters. It has the following characteristics:

• Flower stalks appear readily
• Fewer, larger cloves covered with a looser tunic are produced
• It is considered to have stronger and more interesting flavour
• It is best gathered when the foliage has changed colour
• It stores only until mid-winter

Softneck garlic (Allium sativum) generally produces smaller, more tightly-packet cloves;

• Does not produce flower stalks unless stressed
• It is best harvested when the foliage starts going over
• It has better storage qualities than hardneck varieties
• If autumn planted it will keep until mid- to late-winter
• If planted in early spring softneck varieties it can be stored until mid-spring

Recommended Garlic to try

• • Early Purple Wight Garlic

    A robust early purple garlic that produces large bulbs as early as mid May in South of England, early June in the North. Use and enjoy this garlic within three months of harvest.
     
    Plant October to January, although early planting is best.

  • Elephant Garlic

    A fresh, juicy, mild sweet flavour. Ideal for baking and roasting.
     
    Each bulb is approx. 12.5-15cm (5-6") across.
     
    Not a true member of the garlic family, closer to leek, which it bears a close resemblance in flavour.

  • Lautrec Wight Garlic

    Produces beautiful flowering twists on stems. A delicacy pickled or stir-fried.
     
    Attractive white-skinned garlic with deep purple cloves and a creamy smooth flavour.

  • Picardy Wight Garlic

    A strong flavoured garlic that has a distinct pink hue in appearance.
     
    Approx. 15 cloves per 2 bulb pack. Plant in the spring.

  • Provence Wight Garlic

    Large white soft neck garlic that can produce bulbs that approach elephant garlic size. Sweet and substantial and will keep up to January. Large fat cloves that suit vegetable and fish dishes of the Mediterranean. Like many Mediterranean types, responds to heavy watering in the 3 months before harvest. Spring planting is possible although will produce smaller bulbs.

  • Red Donetsk Garlic

    Red Donetsk Garlic is a hardneck variety which has a beautiful purple striped appearance which comes from south eastern Ukraine. It is a vigorous type of plant which produces very large cloves. Once harvested, this garlic will keep until at least January. This is our strongest tasting garlic available.

  • Red Duke Garlic

    Red Duke Garlic is a hardneck variety with bright white skins with fierce and spicy flavours, which are the signatures of this exotic garlic from Czech Republic; with plump purple cloves. This variety of garlic is noted for being one of the very hot and strong varieties commonly planted in the UK.

  • Solent Wight Garlic

    An improved selection of Solent Wight, producing larger quality bulbs than many will have thought it not possible to grow. Long keeping to March and beyond next year. An aroma and bouquet without compare - giving excellent length and strength.

  • Tuscany Wight Garlic

    This Large white garlic is a late type. Widely grown in Tuscany where is suits warm summers and cooler winters compared with Southern Italy. Widely used in Umbrian dishes and with chicken.

  • Vallelado Garlic

    Originating from the north of Spain, this is a white garlic to be planted in the autumn or early spring. Unlike other Mediterranean white softnecks from Provence or southern Spain, it has excellent keeping qualities and is likely to do far better in our cooler climate. It should be ready to harvest end of June. 8-10 cloves per bulb.