12 Garlic Varieties We’re Planting This Fall
Planting garlic in fall is essential to establish the bulbs at the right time. Gardening expert Madison Moulton shares the best garlic varieties for fall planting that deliver superior flavor and storage life.
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If you’ve never tried growing your own garlic, I can confirm grocery store garlic is basically flavorless compared to what you can grow at home. Those bulbs have been treated to prevent sprouting, shipped from who-knows-where, and bred more for shelf life than taste.
In other words, if you’ve never grown your own garlic, you’re missing out on flavors that will completely change how you cook.
Fall is the only time to plant garlic in most climates. The bulbs need a long, cold period to develop properly, which means getting them in the ground before winter arrives, like spring flower bulbs. Different garlic varieties perform better in different climates, so choosing the right types for your area matters more than you might expect. Here are the fall garlic varieties we’re planting now (and why you should consider them too).
Montana Zemo Hardneck Garlic – USDA Certified Organic
Montana Zemo Hardneck Garlic – USDA Certified Organic
German White Stiffneck Hardneck Garlic – USDA Certified Organic
German White Stiffneck Hardneck Garlic – USDA Certified Organic
Majestic Hardneck Garlic – USDA Certified Organic
Majestic Hardneck Garlic – USDA Certified Organic
Chesnok Red
First on the list, ‘Chesnok Red‘ delivers serious flavor intensity that mellows beautifully when roasted. The purple-striped bulbs are as attractive as they are delicious, making them perfect for both cooking and storing.
This hardneck variety handles cold winters exceptionally well. The bulbs develop a deep, rich flavor that holds up well in storage through late winter. ‘Chesnok Red’ also produces excellent scapes that are fantastic stir-fried or grilled.
Planting these fall garlic varieties now gives the bulbs time to establish before winter dormancy. It needs a good cold period to bulb properly, so it’s not suitable for warm winter areas (though honestly, most garlic isn’t).
Majestic
‘Majestic’ is one of the more reliable varieties for beginner garlic growers. The large, easy-to-peel cloves make kitchen prep faster, too, while the mild flavor won’t overpower delicate dishes.
These bulbs often weigh over two ounces each and store exceptionally well when cured properly. ‘Majestic’ produces thick scapes early in the season, giving you two harvests from one planting. The hardneck nature means it’s suited for northern gardens where winter temperatures drop below freezing.
Plant bulbs about 6 inches apart, since these develop into fairly large plants. The mild flavor makes this fall garlic variety perfect for households where not everyone loves a strong garlic taste.
Montana
‘Montana’ thrives in challenging conditions, handling temperature swings and less-than-perfect soil better than many other types. The bulbs develop a good size even when growing conditions aren’t ideal.
The flavor sits nicely between mild and strong. It’s considered complex enough for serious cooks but not overwhelming for everyday use. ‘Montana’ produces consistent crops year after year, which makes it valuable for gardeners who want reliable harvests.
These fall garlic varieties adapt well to different planting times within the fall window. Whether you get it in the ground in October or wait until November, ‘Montana’ usually performs well.
German White
Often, the best fall garlic varieties are the ones that have been grown for generations. ‘German White’ is a softneck variety that’s been cultivated in Europe for centuries, and there’s good reason it’s still popular today.
The white bulbs are beautiful and store incredibly well, often lasting 8 to 10 months when properly cured and stored. ‘German White’ handles warmer climates better than most varieties, making it suitable for southern gardens where hardneck types struggle.
Since it’s a softneck variety, ‘German White’ won’t produce scapes, but it compensates with excellent bulb development and superior storage life. The flavor is straightforward without being harsh.
Silver White
Delicious flavor is what you’ll get with ‘Silver White‘ garlic. This softneck variety produces attractive white bulbs with excellent quality and consistent performance year after year. The taste is what most people think of as “classic” garlic flavor.
‘Silver White’ adapts to a wide range of growing conditions and doesn’t require perfect soil to produce good bulbs. The cloves are easy to separate and plant, while the mature bulbs peel cleanly for cooking.
For areas with mild winters, these fall garlic varieties often outperform hardneck varieties that need more cold exposure. Plant cloves about 6 inches apart in well-draining soil for best results.
Blossom
This softneck variety produces large, beautiful bulbs with a gentle flavor that won’t overwhelm your dishes. If you prefer subtlety over intensity in your garlic, ‘Blossom’ delivers.
The bulbs cure to an attractive white color and store well through winter and into spring. ‘Blossom‘ works particularly well for roasting whole, where the mild flavor becomes sweet and nutty rather than sharp.
This fall garlic variety performs best in areas with mild winters but can handle some cold if mulched properly. The large cloves make planting easier than varieties with tiny, fiddly pieces.
Elephant
Actually not true garlic (a member of the leek family), the aptly named elephant garlic produces enormous bulbs that can weigh over a pound each. The flavor is much milder than regular garlic and becomes almost sweet when cooked.
Each bulb contains just a couple of massive cloves that are easier to peel and process than regular garlic. Elephant garlic works beautifully roasted whole or sliced thick for grilling. The mild flavor makes it perfect for people who find regular garlic too strong.
Plant the huge cloves about 8 inches apart, since the plants get quite large. Elephant garlic stores reasonably well, though not as long as true garlic varieties.
Inchelium
This softneck variety comes from the Pacific Northwest. ‘Inchelium‘ produces large, white bulbs with excellent flavor and storage characteristics that explain why it’s survived so long.
The bulbs develop up to 20 cloves each, giving you plenty of planting stock for next year’s crop. ‘Inchelium’ stores exceptionally well, too, often keeping for almost a year when properly cured. The flavor is full, but not harsh.
Mid-fall planting works best for most areas. These fall garlic varieties adapt to different soil types but perform best with good drainage and moderate fertility.
Music
Here’s a hardneck variety that lives up to its reputation for complex flavor and reliable performance. ‘Music‘ produces medium-sized bulbs with around five cloves that pack a serious flavor punch. The taste is hot when fresh but mellows during storage.
Originally from Italy, ‘Music’ adapts well to North American growing conditions. The bulbs cure to an attractive white color with purple striping and store well through winter. This variety also produces excellent scapes for cooking.
Plant ‘Music’ in areas with cold winters for the best bulb development. The variety needs cold treatment to form proper bulbs, so it’s not one of the fall garlic varieties suitable for warm winter climates.
Nootka Rose
Beautiful purple-striped bulbs make ‘Nootka Rose‘ as ornamental as it is tasty. This hardneck variety produces medium-sized bulbs with a complex, somewhat spicy flavor that’s perfect for serious garlic lovers.
The bulbs cure to deep purple with white stripes that look stunning when braided or stored in baskets. ‘Nootka Rose’ stores reasonably well, though not as long as some other varieties. The intense flavor means a little goes a long way in cooking.
This variety needs cold winters to bulb properly and produces thick scapes that are excellent grilled or stir-fried. Plant cloves in late September and October in most regions for the best results.
Shandong
‘Shandong‘ produces medium to large bulbs, with a flavor intense enough to satisfy serious garlic enthusiasts.
The purple striping also makes these bulbs particularly attractive, and they store reasonably well when properly cured. ‘Shandong’ needs cold winters to develop properly, making it suitable for northern gardens but not warm winter areas.
This variety produces sturdy scapes. Plant cloves about 6 inches apart in well-draining soil.
Sicilian Artichoke
Despite its somewhat confusing name, this variety is definitely garlic (though it does have some unique characteristics). Sicilian Artichoke produces large, white bulbs with a mild flavor that’s perfect for Mediterranean-style cooking.
The bulbs store exceptionally well and often keep through the following season when properly cured. This softneck variety adapts to different growing conditions and doesn’t require cold winters to bulb properly.
Each bulb produces numerous cloves of varying sizes, giving you options for both cooking and replanting. The mild flavor makes this variety perfect for households where strong garlic isn’t appreciated.
