Unlock Your Garden's Potential with Organic Garlic Seed from Cold Springs Organics
At Cold Springs Organics, we know how important it is to source high-quality, organic garlic seeds for your garden. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting, choosing the right garlic can make all the difference. This season, we’re thrilled to offer three premium varieties of garlic seed: Porcelain Music, Northumberland, and Purple Stripe. These varieties are not only certified organic but packed with flavour and health benefits. Let’s dive into what makes each variety special and how you can grow them to perfection in your own garden!
Porcelain Music Garlic
This is a customer favourite and for good reason!
- Flavour: Robust and pungent with musky, floral, and peppery notes, Music garlic is perfect for adding a kick to your dishes. Raw, it has a spicy heat, but once cooked, it mellows into a rich, savoury sweetness.
- Size and Shape: Music garlic produces large, beautiful bulbs, usually between 1.75 to 3 inches in diameter, with 3-7 plump, easy-to-peel cloves. The sturdy, woody stem makes it a hardneck variety, ideal for cold climates.
- Best Use: Roasting! The natural sugars in Music garlic caramelize beautifully, adding depth to sauces, dressings, and marinades. It’s also fantastic raw in pestos or vinaigrettes.
- Bonus: It's cold-hardy and stores well for up to 9 months! Plant this beauty in the fall and enjoy its flavour year-round.
Northumberland Garlic
Looking for heat? Northumberland is our spiciest variety!
- Flavour: If you love garlic that packs a punch, this is for you. It’s intensely flavoured with a bit of extra heat, perfect for garlic lovers.
- Size and Shape: Northumberland garlic grows huge! Expect bulbs with 4-6 large cloves, each easy to peel. The garlic heads are impressive, measuring up to 3 inches in diameter.
- Storage: Just like Music garlic, Northumberland stores beautifully for 8-9 months—enough to keep your pantry stocked with spicy, delicious garlic until your next harvest.
- Pro Tip: Use this variety when you want your garlic flavour to stand out—think stir-fries, soups, or raw garlic for that extra kick!
Purple Stripe Garlic
Known for its stunning appearance and complex flavour, Purple Stripe garlic brings a little magic to the garden.
- Flavour: Expect a rich, full-bodied flavour. The taste can range from mild to quite hot, depending on how you use it. Its balance of sweetness and heat makes it a versatile kitchen staple.
- Size and Shape: With medium to extra-large bulbs and distinctive purple streaks on both the outer skins and cloves, Purple Stripe garlic is as pretty as it is tasty.
- Best Use: Because of its complex flavour, it’s great for dishes where garlic is the star—think garlic bread, roasted garlic soup, or even raw applications like garlic aioli.
Planting Tips for Garlic Success
Garlic is an easy-to-grow, hardy crop, but to ensure you get the best yields, here are our top planting tips:
- Choose the right spot: Garlic loves well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Before planting, work in plenty of compost, and ensure you are planting somewhere that hasn't grown garlic or onions for four or more years.
- Planting depth: Plant each clove 2 inches deep, pointy end up, and space them 6 inches apart. This ensures the roots have room to grow strong and deep.
- Timing: Garlic is best planted in the fall—between October and November—before the ground freezes. This gives it time to establish roots over the winter.
- Mulch heavily: Apply a thick layer of weed-free mulch (like straw or leaves) to protect the garlic from harsh winter conditions and help with weed control come spring.
- Spring care: In early spring, we recommend a foliar application of fish emulsion to give your garlic plants a boost of nutrients as they wake up and start growing.
Pro Tip: Avoid planting garlic in the same spot year after year to prevent disease buildup. Rotating your crops is a key practice in organic farming!
Storage Tips for Garlic
Storing your garlic properly ensures you get the most out of your harvest. Here are our best storage tips:
- Store your garlic at a temperature between 14-18°C with 50-70% humidity. Ensure there is good air circulation to prevent mould or rot.
- Garlic can be kept at cooler temperatures around 0°C to extend storage time, but keep in mind that it will begin to germinate once it is removed from these colder conditions. So, plan to use or sell your garlic quickly after moving it to room temperature!
Garlic Pricing & Bulk Discounts
We offer Porcelain Music, Northumberland, and Purple Stripe garlic seed by the bulb, with sizes to fit every gardener’s need:
- Small bulbs (1.5-1.75" diameter): $1.75 each
- Medium bulbs (1.75-2" diameter): $3.00 each
- Large bulbs (2-2.25" diameter): $4.00 each
- XL bulbs (2.25-2.5" diameter): $5.50 each
Looking for a larger quantity? If you need 5 pounds or more, we’ve got you covered with bulk discounts. One pound typically contains about 6 large bulbs. Reach out, and we’ll provide customized pricing for bulk orders and shipping details based on your location.
Why Buy Organic Garlic Seed from Cold Springs Organics?
By choosing our garlic seeds, you’re not only growing delicious garlic but also supporting sustainable farming practices. Our garlic is certified organic and grown using regenerative methods that prioritize soil health and biodiversity. Plus, as a family-run farm in Northumberland, Ontario, we are deeply connected to our community and customers. When you buy from us, you’re not just getting seeds—you’re joining a movement towards a healthier, more sustainable food system.
Ready to plant your garlic garden? Visit our online store and grab your organic garlic seed before it's gone! Happy planting!