When do we start taking orders? We sell our garlic in the fall, from mid August to about October or November. We open for orders between August 15th and August 21st, depending on how early or late the harvest is and how quickly we can get inventory cleaned and sorted. It is by necessity a very quick window and we appreciate your patience while we harvest and prepare our garlic.
How do I order? By email, phone or text. The nature of my small plot garlic business means inventory varies a lot, and is counted as I sell. I like growing garlic more than staring at computers, so there is no online store. More details can be found in the catalogue, including a chart designed to help you calculate how many cloves you will get from each pound of garlic you buy.
How do I decide which varieties of garlic to order? The most popular kinds are those with larger limits (10 lb and 5 lb limit) and those are also typically the most consistent, good performers for my area and soil type (southern Ontario, clay loam). However, there are many other solid options that I grow in smaller amounts, and reading the descriptions will help determine whether the garlic is right for you. You may like a milder tasting garlic, or be enticed by hot and spicy. The country of origin, or even the sound of the garlic's name may appeal to you.
Where is our farm? On a gravel road, in the rural space between Stratford, Shakespeare, Milverton and Wellesley, Ontario. Our 100 acre organic farm is near a little place called Gads Hill.
When to Plant: Most people in southern Ontario opt for mid October. I find for my location and soil type, September 20th is the fail safe dry period after which the soil is too wet to muck around in, so I always aim for mid September, and keep an eye on the forecast. Two to three weeks before your first frost is another measure, and keep in mind that large metropolis areas can create a warmer microclimate and delaying planting may be beneficial there. There are a few types of garlic that grow better when planted in the spring, but the only ones I've experienced this advantage with are Creoles and Silver Skins. All you generally need is good garden soil with a fairly neutral pH. Mulch with hay, straw or fall leaves is optional. Plant 3 inches deep, 6 to 9 inches apart, depending on how wide your row spacing is. For more detailed info about planting garlic see these older posts:
Growing Ontario Garlic: Planting in the Fall (goldenacresgarlic.blogspot.com)
Growing Ontario Garlic: Bettering the Odds on Fall Emergence (goldenacresgarlic.blogspot.com)
When to Cut Garlic Scapes: Summer Equinox. Mid June. Some varieties and strains are earlier or later. For more detailed info:
Growing Ontario Garlic: Scapes: When to make The Cut. (goldenacresgarlic.blogspot.com)
When to Harvest: The leaves begin to dry down in July. There is quite a range of harvest times for different varieties, so keep an eye out or check the quick reference on our printable catalogue. For more detailed info see these blog posts:
Growing Ontario Garlic: Sizing it up Before Harvest (goldenacresgarlic.blogspot.com)
Growing Ontario Garlic: Harvesting Garlic (goldenacresgarlic.blogspot.com)
Growing Ontario Garlic: 2019 (goldenacresgarlic.blogspot.com)
What are bulbils and how to use them in your garlic operation: Bulbils are a name for the umbel of mini cloves that mature from the scape if you fail to cut it (or leave it in on purpose). They are fun to grow, if you don't have a vast landscape of weeds taking over, and they quickly add seed stock volume and refresh the vigour of your planting stock. They can however, take a while to size up into large bulbs. For more info:
Growing Ontario Garlic: Planting Bulbils (goldenacresgarlic.blogspot.com)
How are Hardneck Garlic Bundles made? I created a 10 minute video showing how I do it: How to make Hardneck Garlic Bundles (bitchute.com)
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