How to Grow Garlic Information

Growing Transylvanian Seed Garlic Bulbs

In early to mid-fall, at least two weeks before the ground freezes over, prepare the growing space by creating 1-2 inches deep furrows 6-12 inches apart. Break the cloves apart when planting and insert them into the furrows with the pointy side up and the root side down and at least 4” apart from each other. Carefully fill in the furrows and water well. Cover the soil with at least 4 inches of leaves or 6 inches of straw; this will help to reduce any possible frost damage and to increase soil moisture retention. Do not fertilize at the time of planting; this might encourage the bulb to grow too quickly and then it may get damaged by the cold. Fertilize early in spring, just a few weeks before harvest. Favor higher nitrogen fertilizers as most soils are lacking in nitrogen. The typical planting time is October, and the typical harvest time is mid-summer or late spring.

Water infrequently and deeply throughout the growing season and stop watering about one week before the expected harvest (usually around when the scapes come on). Avoid planting garlic or any Allium in the same place two years in a row to avoid soil depletion. Softneck varieties can also be planted in the spring for a smaller, yet still productive, fall harvest.

Transylvanian Garlic Bulbs in the Vegetable Garden

Garlic is great to grow in the garden because various common pests do not prefer to eat it. It can be helpful in deterring pests from neighboring plants as well. Transylvanian can also be stored for a long time, much longer than other vegetables, which extends the enjoyment of the harvest long into the next season.

Harvesting Transylvanian Garlic Bulbs

Fall-planted garlic in Southern climates is typically ready to be harvested in early to mid-summer. Your garlic will show its maturity when 3-4 leaves on the stalks start to turn yellow, brown, and floppy. Carefully loosen the soil around the bulb with a trowel or other tool and firmly pull straight upward at the base of the stalk. If the first bulb harvested appears much smaller than expected, leave the rest of the bulbs in the ground, water them, repeat the test in about a week.

Curing and Storing Transylvanian Garlic Garden Bulbs

After harvesting the garlic bulbs, do not remove any stalks or leaves. Shake off any excess soil but avoid getting it wet. Then, in a warm location (keep it lower than 90F) and out of direct sunlight, the bulbs can either be dried vertically on a rack or hung upside down with the roots up. Be sure to allow room between each bulb for maximum airflow. Soft neck varieties are often braided together before curing to create an attractive display and save space. This curing process prepares the garlic for storage and greatly increases the shelf-life. Curing takes 10-14 days and is completed when the bulbs and stalks are sufficiently dried. After, store them in a cool, dry place such as the refrigerator. Softneck garlic bulbs can easily last 6-8 months when stored properly. Only break the bulbs when ready to use the cloves; this further preserves the garlic.

3 Transylvanian Garlic Bulbs Per Package

Understanding Garlic Bulb Size Differences 🌱

Garlic bulb seeds and harvested garlic bulbs can vary in size due to a number of natural factors. Here's why:

• Growth Stages 🌱: Garlic grown for harvesting is often cultivated under specific conditions to produce large, uniform bulbs. When garlic is grown for seed, the priority is on the quality of the cloves and their ability to sprout, rather than size. This means that while seed garlic may be smaller or vary in size, it’s still highly viable and will produce healthy plants.
• Genetic Diversity 🧬:Garlic is an ancient crop with many varieties that can vary naturally in size. Each type has its own growth habits, clove formation, and size potential. This diversity is what makes garlic such a wonderful and versatile plant to grow!
• Environmental Factors 🌦️: The final size of a garlic bulb is influenced by weather, soil health, and growing conditions. Different environmental factors during cultivation can cause variations in size—even among the same variety.
• Purpose of Seed Garlic 🌾: The key consideration with seed garlic is not necessarily the size of the bulb but the health and viability of each clove. Smaller seed garlic can be just as productive in your garden as larger bulbs.

We assure you that whether large or small, all our garlic seed bulbs are of the highest quality and ready to produce delicious garlic in your garden.

If you have any concerns or questions, feel free to reach out. We appreciate your understanding and support of natural farming practices! 🌿✨

Non-GMO Transylvanian Garlic Bulbs are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.