Chinese Pink Garlic
Chinese Pink garlic is a unique and flavorful variety that is sure to be a favorite in your garden. This hardneck garlic is known for its beautiful pale pink-tinged cloves and its mild, yet complex flavor. It is an excellent choice for both eating and planting, as it produces large bulbs with plenty of cloves.
One of the great things about Chinese Pink garlic is its early maturity.
When planted in the fall, it will be ready to harvest in late spring or early summer, providing you with fresh garlic before other varieties are even ready. This makes it a great option for gardeners who want to enjoy fresh garlic as early as possible. Chinese Pink garlic is also known for its good storage qualities, so you can enjoy its delicious flavor for months after harvest. If you're looking for a unique and delicious garlic variety to add to your garden, Chinese Pink is a great option!
*Garlic is sold by the clove rather than by the head, enabling us to thoroughly inspect each clove to ensure its quality and to guarantee that there are no signs of mold or undesirable cloves.
Botanical Name:
Allium sativum
Neck Type:
Hard
Planting Depth:
2"- 4"
Spacing:
6"-12" apart
Germination Temperature:
Garlic shoots exhibit resilience, withstanding air temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit without harm. However, it's important to note that when temperatures drop below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, there is a risk of shoot dieback and suboptimal bulb development. Therefore, it's advisable to maintain a protective layer of mulch until temperatures consistently rise to more favorable levels.
Utilization:
Chinese Pink garlic is a versatile and flavorful ingredient that can be enjoyed in many ways. Its early maturity allows you to savor its mild, complex taste sooner than other varieties. Start by using the scapes in stir-fries or pesto, then move on to roasting young bulbs for a sweet and mild flavor. As the bulbs mature, incorporate them into your everyday cooking, from sauces and soups to marinades and roasted meats. Roasting whole heads brings out their sweetness, while pickling cloves adds a zesty punch to any dish. For long-lasting flavor, dehydrate cloves to create garlic powder or a flavorful garlic salt.
Container Friendly:
Yes
Frost Tolerant:
Yes
Maturity Days:
210
Growing Instructions:
How To Grow Garlic:
Step 1: Choose the Right Garlic
Variety: There are two main types: hardneck and softneck. Hardneck garlic produces scapes (curly flower stalks) and has larger cloves, while softneck garlic stores longer and is often found in grocery stores. Choose varieties that grow well in your climate.
Cloves: Select large, healthy cloves from a fresh garlic bulb. Avoid any with blemishes or soft spots.
Step 2: Timing is Everything
Fall Planting (Ideal): Plant garlic cloves in the fall, about 6-8 weeks before the first hard frost. This allows them to develop strong roots before winter.
Spring Planting: If you miss the fall window, you can plant in early spring, but fall planting generally yields bigger bulbs.
Step 3: Prepare the Soil
Location: Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Garlic doesn't like to sit in water.
Soil Quality: Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and fertility. Garlic prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH (6.0-7.0).
Step 4: Plant the Cloves
Separate: Gently separate the cloves from the bulb.
Planting Depth: Plant cloves 2-4 inches deep, pointy end up.
Spacing: Space cloves apart per their respective varieties, this will be in the instructions.
Step 5: Mulch and Water
Mulch: After planting, apply a 4-6 inch layer of mulch (straw, leaves, or shredded bark) to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the cloves from freezing temperatures.
Water: Water the garlic regularly, especially during dry periods. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to rot.
Step 6: Ongoing Care
Weed Control: Keep the garlic bed weed-free to reduce competition for nutrients and water.
Fertilize: Side-dress with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer in spring if needed.
Scapes: If you're growing hardneck garlic, remove the scapes (flower stalks) in early summer. This redirects energy to bulb development.
Step 7: Harvesting
Timing: Garlic is usually ready to harvest in mid to late summer, when the lower leaves begin to brown.
Digging: Carefully loosen the soil around the bulbs with a garden fork and lift them out.
Curing: Bundle the garlic plants or spread them out in a well-ventilated, shady area to cure for 2-3 weeks. This allows the bulbs to dry and the flavor to develop.
Step 8: Storage
Clean: Once cured, brush off any excess dirt and trim the roots and tops.
Store: Store garlic in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place. Braiding softneck garlic is a traditional storage method.
Extra Tips:
Crop Rotation: Avoid planting garlic in the same spot year after year to prevent disease buildup.
Save the Best: Save some of your largest, healthiest bulbs to plant for next year's crop.
Enjoy: Use your homegrown garlic in all your favorite recipes!
