At Graves Garlic, we are passionate about bringing you the finest and freshest garlic from Iron River, Alberta. Whether you are a gourmet chef or an amateur cook, we have the perfect garlic varieties to suit your palette.
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Graves Garlic - Gourmet Garlic Microfarm is a family-run business, owned and operated by Darren and Debbie. Darren grew up on the family farm in Iron River, while Debbie was raised on an acreage near Ardmore. Together, they built their home near Darren's family farm where they are raising their three daughters.​ ​We have come a long way since planting only 400 cloves in 2022 to approximately 11,000 cloves in the fall of 2023. We take pride in being a pesticide and herbicide free farm.
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Garlic 101
Garlic is fall planted for best results. It needs the cold temperatures to properly split into more cloves from the one clove planted. Only hardneck garlic produces the edible flower stem called a garlic scape. That can be pickled or added to a range of foods for a mild peppery flavor.
Hardneck garlic is cold-hardy, able to tolerate overwintering in harsh climates down to zone 0.
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Garlic Storage
A whole, unpeeled garlic head will last about six months. An unpeeled clove that has been separated from the
head, meanwhile, will stay good for about three weeks.​ Once you peel garlic, you're going to want to use it within a week. Chopped or minced garlic should be used ASAP — you'll be lucky if it lasts 24 hours in the fridge.
​​How to Store Whole Garlic?
​ Heads​Keep the bulb intact for as long as possible. Again, once you start peeling, your garlic's lifespan decreases much more rapidly.​The best place for a whole head of garlic is somewhere cool, dry, and dark. Sound like the fridge? Think again. Instead of the fridge, opt for somewhere closer to room temperature. Ideally, garlic would be stored somewhere between 60° and 65°, but that's not realistic for most households. Just use your best judgment. For most people, the pantry is the safest spot.​ Also, if you can, choose somewhere that gets decent ventilation. Don't close your garlic in a small drawer or seal it up in a bag. If you must bag it up, paper or mesh materials are much more breathable than plastic.​
How to Store Peeled Garlic?​
Peeled garlic is a different story. Whether you've separated and peeled the whole thing or you just a few exposed cloves, refrigeration is going to be your best bet. Seal it up in an airtight container or zip-top bag, then toss it in the fridge. Though it may start losing pungency after only a few days, it'll be fine to use for about a week.
​Can You Freeze Garlic?​
Yes, you can absolutely freeze garlic. It's a great way to make the most out of the bulbs you don't plan to use in the immediate future.
Contact
For more information please contact us through the following:
Darren- 780-815-3391
Debbie - 780-812-0969
