Garlic in Texas, zone 8

[SweetMissDaisy]

Hi!
I want to plant a bed of garlic this fall for harvest next spring. I live in Central TX, zone 8. We don't have local nurseries, so whatever I plant will either need to be ordered online (or catalog), or purchased at the local grocery.

Anyone have suggestions on what type of garlic would be best for my location...
...and any suggestions for the best place to order?

 

[justpete]

Do you have a farm stand nearby that sells locally grown produce?

I buy garlic from a farm down the road. Thats my seed. If they can grow it so can I.


Peter

 

[hoodat]

Hi!
I want to plant a bed of garlic this fall for harvest next spring. I live in Central TX, zone 8. We don't have local nurseries, so whatever I plant will either need to be ordered online (or catalog), or purchased at the local grocery.

Anyone have suggestions on what type of garlic would be best for my location...
...and any suggestions for the best place to order?

I think you're wise to plant it in the Fall in your area. It's difficult to get good garlic bulbs in hot weather. I'd recommend one of the soft neck varieties for your area, perhaps an Italian red if you like it strong or a California silver if you like it milder. Shallots should also do well as a Winter crop there. It has a mild onion flavor with a hint of garlic.

 

[SweetMissDaisy]

Do you have a farm stand nearby that sells locally grown produce?

I buy garlic from a farm down the road. Thats my seed. If they can grow it so can I.


Peter

Unfortunately, no... I have never seen a farm stand in any of my travels around the area... except for the ol' Mexican fella that sells watermelon out of the back of his truck.

Honestly, I just can't get over the lack of locally grown food here. I lived in Oregon for 17 years prior to moving here, and was spoiled with locally grown food. Most of the time, the produce sold here in groceries isn't worth the money spent on it. It's beat up, wilted, and tired. I've got to get out of this state. Soon.

 

[HunkieDorie23]

Here is a site that has garlic for sell, www.wegrowgarlic.com. It is in Wisconsin which is not that different from my climate but extremely different from yours. They get garlic from warm climates and then acclimate it into their climate. They say that it takes a year or two to get good size garlic so that might be the case with you I don't know.

 

[hoodat]

Some stores give the origin of their veggies nowadays (other than the country of origin) If you can find some that are grown in California they should do well for you.