The Top Garlic Varieties to Grow in Georgia Gardens

Garlic is a versatile and easy-to-grow crop that adds big flavor to soups, sauces, roasts, and more. The key to a successful garlic harvest in Georgia is choosing the right varieties that are suited to the climate. Here are the top types and cultivars of garlic recommended for Georgia vegetable gardens.

Overview of Garlic Types

There are two main types of garlic

• Hardneck garlic – Produces flower stalks and aerial bulblets Better suited for northern climates

• Softneck garlic – Does not produce flower stalks Best adapted to southern climates like Georgia

Within these types there are different cultivars. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension recommends focusing on softneck garlics for Georgia, as hardnecks generally require colder winters.

The three best sub-types of softneck garlic for Georgia are:

• Silverskin
• Artichoke
• Elephant garlic

Top Softneck Garlic Varieties for Georgia

Here are some excellent cultivars to consider in each softneck category:

Silverskin

• Mild French – Large bulbs, mild flavor, does well in hot and dry areas
• Silver White – Very high yield, long storage life

Artichoke

• Inchelium Red – Large bulbs, mild lingering flavor
• California Early – Mild, slightly sweet flavor
• Chet’s Italian – Mild flavor, tolerates heat well

Elephant Garlic

• Elephant garlic is actually a type of leek, not a true garlic. It has a very mild, slightly garlic-like flavor. The bulbs are enormous with just 3-4 giant cloves each.

When and How to Plant Garlic in Georgia

• Timing – Plant garlic cloves in Georgia between late September and November. This allows time for roots and leaves to develop before bulbing begins in spring.

• Spacing – Plant cloves 4-6 inches apart and 1-3 inches deep. Rows can be 12-14 inches apart.

• Soil – Garlic needs loose, friable soil enriched with compost.Neutral pH around 6.5-7.

• Sun – Plant in a sunny spot. Garlic wants at least 6 hours of direct sun per day.

• Fertilizer – Add a balanced organic fertilizer at planting time. Side dress with nitrogen in spring when shoots are 4-6 inches tall.

• Watering – Keep soil evenly moist through the growing season, but avoid soggy conditions. Stop watering once the leaves start browning and drying in early summer.

Growing Tips for Garlic in GA

Follow these tips for the best garlic harvest:

• Select large, healthy planting cloves from mature bulbs. Larger cloves produce bigger bulbs.

• Rotate planting sites each year; avoid areas where onions or garlic grew recently.

• Loosen soil and mix in aged compost or manure before planting.

• Plant cloves pointy end up, root end down, 1-3 inches deep.

• Mulch beds after planting to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

• Keep plants actively growing with consistent soil moisture through spring.

• Monitor for pests like thrips and diseases like botrytis; treat promptly.

• Harvest when 1/3 to 1/2 of the leaves have browned and dried, before bulbs split.

• Cure bulbs in a warm, dry spot out of direct sun for 1-2 weeks after harvest.

• Store cured bulbs in a cool, dry place. Save the biggest for next year’s planting.

With the right garlic varieties selected for your climate, proper spacing, and care throughout the growing season, you can enjoy an abundant garlic crop in your Georgia garden.