Hi momand3kids

I believe you can grow the purple stripes and porcelains in that area.

-bloo

Here is a link that might be useful: my page

mom (and kids) -

I suggest you check out some farmer's markets in your area. They can be a great source of garlic varieties that grow well in your climate. And most growers are more than happy to share growing tips with you. When you're just getting started, a supportive mentor can be invaluable!

Good luck and happy growing!

Thanks Bloo! I really liked your site but had problems with the sign in process. Please see the comment in your guestbook section that I left today. Thanks!

I do live much farther North than you do (coastal Humboldt County), but I want to second Travis's (aka bloo) suggestion about varieties. I grow a purple stripe and also a porcelain and they do very well here. Trying Korean Red for the first time this year. Seed was a bit small, but I have hopes in improving the size over the next couple of years. Best of luck with your garlic.

I grew 'German porcelain hardneck' garlic last season in Sunol (between Fremont and Pleasanton), it finished in late July, that's compared to a softneck garlic from the supermarket that was done on 5-12. The hardneck was clearly less than thrilled with the heat of July (into the 90's regularly), and the leaves yellowed and made it hard to tell when it was done. The final heads were reasonable sized though.

I think such garlics would do very well closer to the bay, and probably fail outright any warmer than I am. It was also nice that the softneck garlic was done early enough to re-use the spot. Garden space that comes open in Late July is harder to fill.

The hardneck garlic also didn't come up until Feb, while the softneck did in October/November (both planted in Sept).

At least that garlic only makes 4-5 cloves per head, so it propagates relatively slowly compared to turban garlics. I got two heads for seed and that only came out to 8 cloves.

Common Ground in Palo Alto has seed garlic for German Porcelain Hardneck, a purple stripe and a couple turban garlics for $1.11/oz. That's a reasonable price for seed garlic compared to online prices. OTOH, the grocery store garlic grew great for me and is very cheap - though you don't know the exact variety.

I tried some very nice looking garlic from the grocery store last year. It may be Italian Late. It did really well and I have planted one bed of it already and will do one more later (for a total of 75 heads or so.)

One of the local nurseries here has 10 varieties they got from Irish Eyes and the friends who have seen it are raving and also like the price which is less than it is in the catalog (which, btw is a GREAT catalog and makes for good window shopping.) However, 4 varieties is plenty for me to manage.

Hiya Mom&kids

I saw something on my guestbook but didn't spend a lot of time there. Working full time and trying to ship garlic out takes up my time. I think finding bulbs at the local farmers market is a good idea but if you want a specific variety you need to go to somebody who grows it. Thanks for the second Kris.