Are you looking for the best softneck garlic bulbs to grow? This post covers top picks, including growing conditions, storage life and flavour profiles. Find out which softneck garlic varieties will grow well in your garden and tastes good on your plate.
Softneck garlic varieties are milder, more resilient in warm climates and store longer so are great for gardeners.
Popular softneck garlic varieties are Solent Wight, Germidour, Maddock, Mersley and Provence each with their own growing benefits and uses.
Growing garlic involves proper soil prep, planting and care, with a focus on harvest timing and curing methods to keep garlic quality.
Garlic is a valuable and healthy crop loved by gardeners and chefs. Of the two main types of garlic, softneck garlic stands out because of its unique characteristics and uses. Unlike hardneck garlic which produces a flower spike, softneck garlic has a softer stem and produces more cloves per bulb. This makes it perfect for those who want to maximise their harvest.
When choosing which garlic to grow, several factors come into play, flavour, strength and specific growing conditions. Softneck garlic is milder and more resilient in warmer climates than hardneck types. Plus it can be grown in spring and autumn so gardeners can have a longer garlic season.
Growing garlic is so rewarding. It’s easy and the results are delicious and good for you. Knowing the differences and benefits of softneck garlic will help you choose the right varieties and methods for a big harvest.
Softneck garlic varieties have a longer shelf life than hardneck types so are great for long term storage. This is especially good for those who want a constant supply of garlic throughout the year. Plus softneck garlic has smaller, more compact cloves that are easier to peel and use in cooking.
Another advantage of softneck garlic is its warmth tolerance. Hardneck garlic loves cold weather and is less tolerant of warmth, softneck varieties can take the heat so are good for a wider range of growing conditions. This and their great keeping qualities make softneck garlic a favourite among gardeners.
Growing softneck garlic is easier than hardneck varieties. This is a big advantage for new gardeners or those who want to add more to their vegetable garden with minimal effort. Softneck garlic’s good keeping qualities means it will last longer in storage so you can enjoy your harvest well into the year.
Plus softneck garlic varieties are milder in flavour than hardneck types so are good for many uses. Whether you’re adding them to salads, roasting them for a sweet caramelised treat or preserving them in oil, softneck garlic has many benefits that make it worth growing in your garden.
With over 600 garlic varieties to choose from the world of garlic is vast and varied. Among these several have gained popularity for their flavour, growing conditions and special qualities. From the award winning Solent Wight to the resilient Germidour, each variety has something for gardeners and cooks.
Try these popular softneck garlic varieties and see which ones you want to grow in your garden. We’ll look at the characteristics and planting instructions for Solent Wight, Germidour, Early Purple Wight, Messidrome and Wight Cristo. Each of these varieties has its own advantages so are good for different climates and uses.
Solent Wight garlic is known for its long keeping qualities so is a favourite among gardeners who want to enjoy their harvest for longer. Plant in both autumn and spring for flexible growing seasons and a big crop.
It’s won the Award of Garden Merit from the RHS; it's a top garlic variety.
Germidour garlic has big cloves, thick stem and mild yet rich flavour. Plant in the autumn and it will take about 6-7 months to be ready to harvest. Large white bulbs with purple hints and resistant to rot even in wet conditions.
Germidour is a good all rounder for many gardeners.
Rhapsody Wight has big bulbs and purple skin, good flavour for cooking. Can be harvested in mid May in southern areas and early June in northern areas, one of the earliest garlic varieties to mature.
Its early spring harvest means gardeners can enjoy fresh garlic sooner in the growing season.
Mersley Wight garlic is a high-performing softneck variety known for its rich flavor and adaptability. It grows well in a range of conditions, making it a favorite among both novice and experienced gardeners.
Plant in autumn or early spring for consistent yields of medium to large bulbs. Its excellent storage capability ensures you can enjoy your harvest for months after lifting.
Provence Wight garlic is a popular softneck variety celebrated for its robust flavor and excellent versatility in cooking. Originating from the mild Mediterranean climate, it thrives in well-drained soil and sunny conditions.
Plant in autumn for a reliable harvest of large, creamy-white bulbs. This variety stores well, making it a great choice for gardeners who love fresh garlic throughout the year.
Large white softneck garlic that can produce huge bulbs.
Best Autumn planted, can be Spring planted although will produce smaller bulbs
One of the earliest maturing varieties.
Plant from September to December for best yield.
The best garlic in terms of overall eating and keeping quality.
November to January planting best but crops well from end March planting.
Planting and growing softneck garlic is fun and rewarding. Garlic bulbs to plant can be bought from garden centres, plant nurseries and online from Simply Seed. Softneck garlic can be planted in the spring and autumn so is flexible for different gardening schedules. With the right preparation and care garlic is an easy crop to grow and will give you a big harvest for months to come.
This guide covers the basics of preparing the soil, planting and care and maintenance to grow garlic. Follow these and you’ll be growing garlic in no time.
To grow garlic follow these:
Plant in well drained, fertile soil with full sun.
If you have heavy clay soil add sand, grit and compost to improve drainage.
Adding compost or well rotted manure will improve soil fertility and structure and create a good environment for garlic to grow.
A neutral pH in the soil is best.
Planting garlic is a few simple steps. Divide the bulbs into individual cloves, choose the biggest and healthiest for planting. Each clove should be planted with the pointed end up just below the soil surface. Proper spacing is important, plant cloves 15 cm apart and rows 30 cm apart to give them room to grow.
Each clove should be planted 5-7 cm deep so they are fully covered with soil. This depth will protect the cloves from temperature fluctuations and give the roots room to grow.
These planting techniques will give you a healthy and productive garlic crop.
Caring for your garlic plants involves:
Water regularly especially during dry periods until they are ready to harvest.
During the first growing year don’t harvest, just water and let the plants establish themselves fully.
Weeding is also important, remove weeds by hand to avoid damaging the garlic bulbs and to reduce competition for nutrients.
Follow these and you’ll have healthy growth and a good harvest.
Garlic needs full sun to grow so make sure they are planted in a spot that gets full sun all day. Regular care and maintenance will give you strong and healthy garlic and a big harvest.
Harvesting garlic is critical for getting the best bulbs. Garlic should be harvested when 60% of the leaves are yellow, that’s when the bulbs are at their maximum size. Harvest garlic when the lower leaves are brown but the top leaves are still green for best flavour and longevity.
This section will cover when to harvest, how to cure for storage and how to keep garlic fresh and flavourful.
Softneck garlic is ready to harvest mid to late summer, around June or July. Varieties like Early Purple Wight can be harvested by mid June in cooler areas of the UK.
Look for the lower leaves to turn yellow and the plant to flop over as signs it’s time to harvest your garlic.
Once harvested garlic needs to be cured to store well. Curing garlic requires a warm, dry and well ventilated area to prevent moisture that can cause spoilage.
Place the garlic in a well ventilated, dark place for about 2 weeks to dry thoroughly. This will help maintain the quality and flavour of the garlic for long term storage.
For long term storage garlic should be stored in a cool, dry area with good air circulation. Ideal storage temperatures are -1°C-0°C (30-32°F) with low humidity. Garlic can be stored by braiding or in mesh bags to allow air circulation.
Garlic stored in a dark cool place will keep fresh and flavourful.
Growing and using softneck garlic is a rewarding experience if you do it right. We hope you’ve learned all you need to know about this great ingredient for your kitchen. From understanding its characteristics and varieties to planting, harvesting and storing this guide has covered it all. Now go and grow your own garlic and enjoy the flavour.
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