Inchelium Red Softneck GarlicUpdated 4 months ago
Inchelium Red Softneck Garlic - USDA Certified Organic
Product Details
Cloves per bulb: 8-20
This large, beautiful garlic cultivar was discovered on the Colville Native American Reservation in Inchelium, Washington, but its initial origin is unknown. Its taste-test-winning flavor (Cook's Illustrated and Rodale Institute) has been described as robust and lingering but not overwhelmingly spicy. Matures in mid-season and may take a little longer to cure due to its large size. Large white and purple-blotched bulbs have 8–20 cloves arranged in layers. Stores up to 10 months
Due to state restrictions, we cannot ship garlic to Idaho, Hawaii, and the following counties in Washington—Adams, Benton, Franklin, Grant, and Klickitat (including cities such as Othello, Pasco, Moses Lake, Kennewick, and Richland). Please do not order garlic if you live in one of these locations.
Garlic ships early October
Why You'll Love It
Softnecks like Inchelium Red provide a lovely flavor unmatched by supermarket garlic while still producing well in warmer climates. This variety is perfect for the culinarily-minded gardener!
Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 250-270 days (when planted in fall)
Family: Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Alleoideae (formerly Alliaceae) Allium or Onion family, includes onions, garlic, chives, shallots, and leeks.
Type: Artichoke
Native: Central Asia
Hardiness: Usually grown as an annual to harvest the bulbs, but can be grown as a perennial
Exposure: Full sun to part shade.
Variety Info: The white-wrapped bulbs have a pinkish cast and occasionally pink streaks on the outer wrapper. Inside, each clove has a pinkish skin that peels away to reveal the lovely white clove inside with a robust and lingering flavor, but mild, not hot. Bulbs contain 8–20 cloves. Stores 10 months.
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside:
Garlic is planted in fall for harvest 7 to 9 months later (midsummer). In areas with cold winters, sow individual cloves from mid-September to mid-November. Garlic is frost-hardy but ideally should be planted 4 to 6 weeks before the first hard freeze to give the bulbs time to establish roots. In areas with mild winters, garlic can be planted until January.
When to Start Inside: Not recommended if you want to grow bulbs. If you don't get your garlic in the ground, the cloves can be planted indoors any time of year for the green tops that make tasty garlic-flavored raw greens or stir-fry ingredients.
Seed Depth: Plant garlic 2"–3" deep with the pointed side up.
Seed Spacing: One clove every 6"–8"
Row Spacing: 12"–18"
Thinning: Thinning is not necessary if spaced properly during planting.
Growing Info
Harvesting: Garlic bulbs are ready to harvest when the tops are approximately 40% yellow or brown or when the tops start to fall over. This is typically in June and July. Do not leave bulbs in the ground too long, or the skins will decay, reducing storage life. To harvest, lift the bulbs gently with a digging fork (flat tines) or a shovel, digging widely to avoid cutting into them. Gently brush off any loose soil and remove any damaged cloves, but leave the roots and shoots attached. Lay or hang the whole plant in a warm, airy location out of direct sun and protected from rain before curing. For more information, see Garlic: Harvesting, Curing, and Storage.
Special Care:
Special Care: After planting, apply 2"–4" of mulch (e.g., straw, untreated grass clippings, shredded leaves) to maintain moisture, insulate the cloves through the winter, and help prevent frost from pushing cloves to the surface. Loosen mulch in spring to allow shoots to push through thick or compacted mulch. In very cold climates, remove mulch after the last hard freeze to allow soil to warm more quickly. Reapply mulch after shoots emerge to maintain consistent moisture and reduce weeds. Remove weeds regularly to reduce competition for water and nutrients.