Garlic

Proper watering is one of the most important factors for healthy, productive garlic. Too little water stunts growth, while too much can lead to rot and disease. After over 30 years of growing garlic in California’s Central Valley and Sonoma Valley, I’ve refined a watering approach that consistently produces large, flavorful bulbs. Understanding Garlic’s Water…

When it comes to growing garlic, spacing your cloves correctly is one of the most critical factors for producing large, healthy bulbs. Over my 30+ years of gardening in Sonoma Valley, I’ve found that even with ideal soil, water, and sunlight, incorrect spacing can stunt growth and reduce yields. Why Garlic Spacing Matters Garlic bulbs…

Elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum) isn’t true garlic—it’s more closely related to leeks—but it produces impressively large, mild-flavored bulbs. Over my 30+ years of gardening, I’ve grown elephant garlic in both Sonoma Valley and California’s Central Valley, and it’s always a showstopper in the garden and kitchen. In this guide, I’ll share my best tips for…

Rocambole garlic is one of the most prized hardneck garlic varieties, known for its rich, complex flavor and easy-to-peel cloves. After growing it for decades in California’s Sierra foothills and Sonoma Valley, I can confidently say Rocambole is a gardener’s favorite when flavor is the top priority. In this guide, I’ll explain what makes Rocambole…

Hardneck garlic is prized by chefs and gardeners alike for its bold flavor, large cloves, and the bonus of edible garlic scapes. Unlike softneck types, hardnecks need a true winter chill to form proper bulbs, making them the go-to choice for gardeners in colder regions. I’ve grown hardneck garlic both in California’s Sierra foothills (Zone…

Garlic (Allium sativum) is one of the most rewarding crops a home gardener can grow, but not all garlic is the same. The two main types—softneck and hardneck—differ in flavor, storage, and growing requirements. Knowing which works best in your climate and kitchen is the first step to a successful harvest. I’ve grown both types…