Garlic [General]

2013 Aug 19
I have been buying local garlic here and there but I was looking to load up for the winter. Any suggestions on where I can find six month's supply or so that will not go bad nor cost an arm and a leg. My experiences with Landsdowne/Brewers and Byward Markets were less than encouraging. Thanks!

2013 Aug 19
call acorn creek farms. i think they normally have a lot.

2013 Aug 20
I called Silver Springs garlic hotline and apparently they are sold out of this year's stock and I missed them like last year.


2013 Aug 20
Tree pug,

What is the normal price per pound for garlic?

How much are you looking for? Maybe some of us can get together for a group buy from a farmer for better price.


2013 Aug 20
www.foodiepages.ca

Each August I buy enough garlic to do me until the next August but I got tired of paying the high prices that seemed to be the norm at various farmer's markets and particularly the Ottawa Farmer's Market. So this year I ordered from the above. I recieved absolutely beautiful garlic and highly recommend taking a look at this supplier.

2013 Aug 20
felinefan,

Is the $25 for 3 lbs of music including shipping?

Has anyone experience with Kings Creek garlic farm and the black garlic they sell?

2013 Aug 20
Yes, you get 3 pounds for $25. I ordered 9 pounds and paid $75 plus shping of $9.06 for a total of $84.06. I don't know how much the shipping is if ordering more or less. You get around 18 heads of garlic and I just measured one and it is 7.5 inches in circumference. Worth every penny. Sorry, don't know anything about Kings Creek.

2013 Aug 20
Last year I bought 68 heads of garlic to store. The year before 88. This year I have about 52 so far I think (10 different farms). May be stopping soon.

I buy from a number of farms to hedge my bets on quality. Some farmers have rougher years than others, depending on weather, crop rotation, harvesting, drying time.

Last year's garlic lasted me until late July, just as I was getting garlic in my CSA share from Roots & Shoots Farm. Locally, I have had very good storage experience with garlic from Glengyle Garlic (Russian Red), Waratah Down Organic Farm and Roots & Shoots Farm.

I stay away from the huge heads as I don't find they store as well for me and also the clove sometimes is more than I need. Some can be pretty huge.

When I bought a pound of garlic from Upper Canada Garlic, it turned out to be 12 heads. (It was $12 for the pound of Fish Lake #3.)

Silver Spring Garlic is indeed sold out for this year. I buy a bit to support the fundraiser. It is fundraiser priced so I don't buy a lot.

If you buy your garlic later in the season then it will be better dried for proper storing.

When I get it, I put my garlic in my cool dry basement in open brown paper lunch bags. Maybe 5 heads to a bag. It is really important not to crowd them and allow for circulation. Don't close the bags. In fact, poking holes in the bags is good. I write on each bag the farm, variety, what I paid, date I purchased. Makes for an interesting audit come May when the supply is getting low and I can really see who are the survivors.

2013 Aug 20
Food is fun,

Which types of garlic do you buy?

So which producers look good this year in terms of quality? Can you give us some examples of pricing?

Thanks

2013 Aug 21
FoodTravel:

Not near my garlic for a few days. Have made a note to reply to you in detail next week.

2013 Aug 21
Is it normal to have 5-6 heads per pound of garlic? That sounded a bit large and not sure how large garlic would be taste wise versus more normal sized garlic.

Found a source for those large music garlic supposedly organic from Ginos garlic farm at a good price at $5/lb but wondering if it is a good idea.

2013 Aug 21
Food is Fun: I LOVE Russian Red. My personal favorite garlic. Nice to know that Glengyle has it!

2013 Aug 21
Felinefan,

Did you get 18 heads of garlic for 3 lbs?


2013 Aug 22
FoodTravel, that is correct. I ordered three batches of three pounds each and have somewhere around 48 heads of garlic. The heads are large and therefore the cloves are large. Did I mention delicious? Each 3 pounds came in it's own shipping box and contained within the shipping box was a mesh bag to store them in. I have purchased garlic at the Garlic Fest in Perth, at the Garlic Fest in Carp, have purchased it at various farmers markets and at each place, have purchased various kinds. This is by far the one I like the best.

2013 Sep 17
Thanks for the advice Felinefan. I just got 2lbs from the foodie pages site and they are beautiful. I planted some this evening but I still have enough for the winter. 2 lbs was about $58 and it arrived Monday after ordering the Saturday before.

2013 Sep 18
Tree Pug, I'm glad.you liked the garlic. Always nice to recommend something to someone and have them tell you they like it.

2013 Sep 19
If you have the means, I strongly recommend growing your own. You can by several varieties at Richie's and plant in October-early Nov. An added bonus is that you get the garlic scapes along with the garlic, so it's a great 2for1. I love feeling smug when I see the prices of garlic at farmers' markets, knowing I payed almost nothing (keep one clove from each head and replant the next year).

2013 Sep 20
I tried that a few times and the squirrels (I'm guessing) dug them up.