Garlic - 2024

We are growing several varieties of garlic for 2024. Six varieties specifically for the market: Music, Russian Red, Doukhobor (Ukrainian), Early Portuguese, and Duganski, and one variety, Dynaeris Silverskin, to test for suitability to our growing conditions and for culinary value with limited quantities for our customers to sample. Dynaeris, being a soft neck garlic, can be braided easily and we offer it braided. See more below.

The 2024 harvest is complete and the farm stand is open at the address above from 12PM to 4PM. (CLOSED ON MONDAY and TUESDAY, but call or text if you are in the are on days or hours when we are closed.

We have also been producing on a limited basis a delicious garlic scape pesto which is available in June through the middle of July.

SALES: We conduct sales on the farm and make local deliveries as needed. Cash only is accepted.

CLOSED ON MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS.

Varieties for Market

MUSIC

This variety belongs to the group called "Porcelain" because of their white wrapper. There is also a hint of purple stripe deeper in the wrapper. 5 - 7 cloves per bulb. Cloves are often very large.

Taste: Spicy with a longer lasting effect

Size: Generally larger bulbs

Storage: Will keep well into the spring

RUSSIAN RED

This variety is a Rocambole with a heavy purple colour. 6 - 10 cloves per bulb. It likes our growing conditions and can produce large bulbs. Be prepared for a little "heat" if you eat it raw.

Taste: Strong, rich flavour that won't linger too long

Size: Medium to large bulbs

Storage: Will keep well into the winter and early spring

DUGANSKI

This variety belongs to the group called "Purple Stripe". It has a bright purple/red wrapper which matches its flavour. It originated in Kazakhstan and is ready early in the season.

Taste: Hot, hot, hot

Size: Medium size bulbs

Storage: A very good keeper.

ROCAMBOLE (Korean Purple) NOT AVAILABLE IN 2024

This variety is purple in colour with some bulbs more colorful than others. 8 - 10 cloves per bulb. We have been growing it for several years with consistent results.

Taste: Moderate flavour that won't linger too long

Size: Medium bulbs

Suorage: Will keep well into late winter and early spring

EARLY PORTUGUESE

Early Portuguese is a "softneck", "Turban" variety. Being a softneck, it has no scape, and can be easily braided. It is purple in colour and striped or mottled. 6 - 12 cloves per bulb.

We have been growing it for several years, albeit with a hiatus of a couple years. Results have always been consistent.

Taste: Almost sweet with moderate "bite" that won't linger too long

Size: Medium to large bulbs

"DUKHOBOR" - Ukrainian

First, a bit of history. This garlic variety was given to us by friends who received it from the descendants of Doukhobor immigrants to Canada early in the 20th century. Very possibly from southeastern Ukraine if I understand the history correctly. So that is why it has the name "Doukhobor". It is likely more than one variety was brought to Canada from Asia, so the chosen name is the best we can do to identify the variety.

The bulbs are not as large as the other varieties we have, but another year or two should bulk them up nicely. Meanwhile we have enough to put some out for sale.

The bulbs are slightly elongated and each clove is more slender than our other varieties. There are 6-10 cloves per bulb.

Taste: The taste is spicy but not up to the fire that Duganski can generate. We have given it a score of "one" on our propriety garlic spice scale.

Size: Medium bulbs for this year and perhaps larger next year.

Varieties under Development

In addition to the varieties above we are developing Dynaeris Silverskin.

Dynaeris Silverskin is a softneck garlic and grows well producing medium size bulbs at Mount Pleasant.

Dynaeris Silverskin is characterized by white wrappers and being a soft neck variety can be easily braided. Each bulb can have upwards of ten cloves. This is a late harvest variety and can stay in the ground a full two weeks after other garlic has been harvested. From a culinary perspective Dynaeris is on the stronger end of the spectrum. It is a very good keeper.