Hard-neck Garlic Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon

Hardeck Garlic is in the onion family producing an edible bulb that is a popular vegetable garden plant. It is used raw or cooked to flavor may dishes. Hardnecks need some winter cold to grow but should do well in most areas of NC. They send up a scape prior to harvest time in spring and are deer and black walnut resistant.

Within the Hardneck varieties, there are the ‘rocamboles’, whose cloves alternate large and small, and the ‘continental’ types, whose cloves are mostly uniform in size. Rocamboles are typically easier to peel and have the most pungent garlic flavor but do not store as long as continental types.

Plant cloves in NC from late Oct. to Nov. and possible through Dec in the more southern areas for a May to June harvest time. It needs at least 4-6 weeks to get established before the ground freezes. Space 6-8 inches apart and 2-3 inches deep. Plant in loose fertile well-drained soil in full sun and mulch to help prevent weed competition. Cut back on watering before harvest time to prevent bulb rot. The flower stem (scape) should be removed before blooming and is edible raw or cooked.

Harvest garlic when about half of the leaves have started turning brown. Garlic needs to cure after digging in a warm dry place out of the sun. Once the leaves have completely dried you can remove the leaves, roots and outer wraps and store in a dry cool area but do not refrigerate.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Bulb rot can occur in too wet soil. Bulb mites can occur.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Allium sativum.