I've been searching online for a place to buy seed garlic to plant this fall, and either they are sold out or had a bad crop this year. Does someone know of a source, or am I out of luck? moderator's note: added a more descriptive title to topic
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange They ship in the fall and appear to have a lot of types still available. You will have to check out their Fall shipping dates to see if they will still ship as far north as you are.
Rocamboles require a cold winter and rich soil. You would probably be able to grow those successfully. You would likely have good luck with the Silverskins and Artichoke types also. Perhaps you should avoid the Creoles and Turbans since they are more adapted to hotter, more humid areas. Garlic is very easy to grow, requires little care other than weeding and a nice bit of fertilizer when it starts to show new growth in the spring, and is so much better than the store-bought. You can always buy a few heads at the supermarket and plant those. In your area, a heavy (6") mulch will help your garlic survive and thrive in the spring. Your window of opportunity for planting is closing rapidly, so find your garlic and get it in the ground!
Check at farmer markets in your area if there are still afew going on. I grew Music, Great White and Chesnok this year. I pulled them and couldn't tell the difference between them. Maybe the flavor is noticeably different, but I must not have the best palate for that. I just use it. If you can't find any locally and you aren't worried what the variety is, let me know I will send you some for the postage. I have some that are broken apart and really should be planted.
Try your local farmers market for garlic. This way you get to pinch the fruit and talk to the grower.
That's a great idea... I'll talk to someone on Saturday. Carolyn, I'll keep your kind offer in mind if I don't track some down here quickly!
