Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome! If you have a question about garlic, you may find the answer right here.
​Is it hardneck or softneck garlic?
Hardneck garlic and softneck garlic are distinct in several ways. Hardneck garlic features a flowering stalk known as a scape, which emerges from the base of the bulb and extends through the neck. In contrast, softneck garlic does not have this characteristic. Additionally, hardneck varieties are typically more suited for colder climates, while softnecks thrive in warmer regions. Interestingly, hardneck garlic has a longer history, closely resembling the wild garlic that humans first harvested thousands of years ago.
​How many garlic varieties are there?
At Graves Garlic, we specialize exclusively in hardneck garlic varieties, which include five distinct families: Purple Stripe, Marbled Purple Stripe, Glazed Purple Stripe, Porcelain, and Rocambole. While there are hundreds of garlic varieties available, most found in grocery stores prioritize shelf life and transportability over flavor. We believe there's a rich world of garlic flavors waiting to be explored. We invite you to discover the unique flavor profiles of our offerings, each with its own distinct taste experience.
Can I plant this garlic?
The garlic you've purchased from us can be enjoyed in your meals or planted in your garden. Here's some recommendations to help your garlic growing be a success.
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Garlic should be planted in well drained soil to prevent rot. Your soils drainage can be improved by adding compost or even sand if it's particularly heavy. Garlic should also be planted in a full sun location.
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Hardneck garlic does best when it's fall planted. If you miss your opportunity to fall plant it can be planted in the spring it just won't grow as large. It should be planted 3-5 weeks after the first fall frost. Which in Alberta is typically the second week of October.
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To prepare your garlic bulbs for planting, separate them into individual cloves while keeping the outer paper of the clove intact, as this helps protect them from rotting. We recommend planting the cloves 4 to 5 inches deep and spacing them 7 inches apart. After planting, cover the cloves with about 3 inches of straw. Come spring, you'll see the garlic sprouting through the straw, ready to grow!
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How Do I Store My Garlic?
Garlic is a versatile ingredient, but proper storage is key to maintaining its freshness. A whole, unpeeled garlic head can last up to six months when kept in a cool, dry, and dark, ideally in the pantry Once you separate a clove, it will only stay good for about three weeks, and peeled garlic should be used within a week. For chopped or minced garlic, it's best to use it immediately as it typically lasts less than 24 hours in the fridge.
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How to Store Whole Garlic Heads
To store whole garlic heads correctly, it's important to keep the bulb intact for as long as possible, as peeling it significantly reduces its lifespan. The ideal storage location for garlic is a cool, dry, and dark area. It's advisable to steer clear of the fridge. Instead, select a spot that is nearer to room temperature, ideally between 60° and 65°. For most households, the pantry is the most practical and effective choice for maintaining garlic's freshness.
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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.
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How to Store Peeled Garlic
Peeled garlic requires a different approach. Whether you've peeled an entire bulb or just a few cloves, the best way to store it is in the fridge. Just place it in an airtight container or a zip-lock bag. Although it may begin to lose its strong flavor after a few days, it will still be usable for about a week.
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Can You Freeze Garlic?
You can certainly freeze garlic, which is a fantastic way to keep bulbs that you won't use immediately.
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Whole Cloves: Place peeled cloves on a baking sheet and freeze them for about an hour. Once solid, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag and place them back in the freezer.
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Chopped Garlic: Finely chop the peeled cloves, place them in an ice cube tray, cover them with olive oil and freeze. Once frozen, move the frozen cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container.
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