Our garlic planting this year is happening a bit later than usual. Every fall, Paul, Brennan and myself gather to plant our garlic. We love garlic. We typically plant Garlic early to mid October, allowing time to establish strong root systems before the winter frost sets in. It has been a warmer fall with above seasonal temperatures. Root development is key, as it helps the plants withstand cold temperatures and sets them up for vigorous growth come spring. Having said that, we are hoping a good layer of straw will help insulate them. Despite the delay, we’re excited to get our garlic in the ground and are preparing the beds.
There’s something so fulfilling about preparing the soil and placing those little cloves into the ground, knowing they’ll transform into bulbs by the time spring arrives.
Last year we planted Music garlic a hardneck garlic that everyone seems to gravitate towards in this area (Zone 5). Music garlic is a popular hardneck garlic variety known for its robust flavour and excellent cold tolerance. It belongs to the Porcelain garlic family, which typically produces fewer but larger cloves per bulb, typically yields 4 to 6 large cloves per bulb. One of the qualities of Music garlic is its flavour profile—it has a rich, warm, slightly spicy taste when raw, mellowing to a more earthy and sweet profile when cooked. Its thick, papery white skin protects it well for long-term storage, often lasting up to six months (keep in mind we harvest in July) when kept in cool, dry conditions. Originally from Italy, Music garlic has become a favourite among growers in our area, as I mentioned above–because it adapts well to colder regions.
This year, we’re excited to try a new variety for us, Azores garlic! We came across this variety from our neighbours down the road at Bryant Farm. Justin promising that this garlic has a great flavour profile. He also gave us a sample of this incredible product that they make with their garlic, Black Garlic!
A little about Black garlic: It starts as regular garlic but goes through a slow fermentation over a few weeks in a warm, humid environment. Justin and Laura have a special oven for this process. Durning the process, it changes both its colour and texture—turning it sticky and dark. This process also removes the sharp bite of fresh garlic, transforming it into something smoother, with a layered flavour that’s a little sweet, a little savoury. To me, it tastes like a mix of molasses, soy sauce, a pleasant savoury taste. It was so good! We may have to do a collab with them at some point next year, and include their Black Garlic in our farm baskets!
Portugal Azores garlic is a rare, flavourful variety that originates from the Azores, a group of Portuguese islands in the Atlantic. Known for its robust taste, Portugal Azores garlic has a mild yet complex flavour, making it a favourite for culinary applications. This variety typically produces medium to large bulbs with 8–12 cloves per bulb, offering more cloves than many other hardneck types , like Music.
Like other hardneck garlics, Portugal Azores garlic develops a central scape that can be harvested early in the season. The scapes add an additional layer of usability to the plant, as they can be used in pestos, stir-fries, or as a mild garlic garnish. We can’t wait to offer Scapes again in the Spring!
One of our favourite aspects of garlic cultivation is adding it to our farm baskets. Customers love the opportunity to include fresh garlic in their orders, and we enjoy seeing how they incorporate it into their own cooking. It’s rewarding to know that our garlic enhances their meals, from simple weeknight dinners to special occasions, adding depth and flavour to their dishes.
For us, planting garlic reminds us of nature’s endless cycle. From setting cloves into the soil in fall to watching them overwinter, then grow strong through spring, until we finally harvest in July. It’s a full-circle process that keeps us grounded in each season, with a growing sense of anticipation as each season brings something new. We’re already dreaming of the delicious recipes we’ll create and the fresh flavours that will come from our garden to your table!
Heather
Little Farm Cart