daisybelle1,

I purchased the Seed Savers garlic sampler pack a few years ago so I know right where you're at. It all grew fairly well, but the hardneck varieties grew much bigger bulbs, and it's fun to eat the scapes in June. I think the variety with the biggest bulbs was Russian Giant. Some of the "Fire" varieties like Georgia Fire were very tasty with considerable heat. I was most disappointed by the Elephant Garlic which grew huge but seemed to have a very funky taste. It might just have been my garden.

Hope this helps.

Mike

Thanks Mike! Now I'll go back to their website and give it another look.

Lisa in La Crosse

Ditto, pretty much. Only grow the hardneck types, as the softneck ones grow far better further south. Unless you are at a farmers market, you will only find softneck garlic to purchase at the store for eating, and it usually comes from California.

Elephant garlic does grow very large, but it shouldn't have a funky taste to it. It is very mild, and not a true garlic at all. It's more closely relate to shallots.

Thanks! I went with the hardnecks!