Garlic Russian Red Organic Bulbs

A very popular rocambole variety, brought to America in the 1900s by Russian immigrants, Garlic Russian Red is grown as a bulb vegetable. Russian Red produces excellent yields of big bulbs that contain 6 to 7 cloves. Both bulb and cloves are wrapped in loose, parchment-like, purple-striped skins that are easy to peel. The cloves have a rich, robust "true" garlic flavor that's typically milder than Porcelain types. Garlic is a good source of allicin, a compound that gives garlic its distinctive smell and taste and appears to have many health benefits.

Garlic Russian Red is an Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon variety in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). Typically grown as an annual, garlic is an herbaceous bulbous perennial with flattened, linear, grass-like, medium green leaves. Harvest the plant in summer when the lower 4 to 5 leaves are dry and turning brown. Hang the plants to dry for 2 to 3 weeks in a warm area with good air circulation, out of direct sunlight. Once completely dried, cut off the stem about 1 inch from the bulb and trim the roots. Storage potential is 6 months or more.

A good choice for northern gardens, Garlic Russian Red can withstand very cold winter temperature but also grows well in moderate and wet coastal climates. Super easy to grow, garlic grows best in sunny locations with loose, fertile, moist, well-draining soil. Garlic benefits from a nitrogen fertilizer applied at planting and again when shoots are 4 to 6 inches tall.

Garlic is an excellent companion plant in vegetable and flower gardens. It naturally deters certain garden pests, such as aphids, Japanese beetles, snails, deer, and rabbits, to name a few.

A cool-season vegetable, garlic is cold hardy and can be grown in all USDA Zones and can be direct sown into the garden in fall for a summer harvest. But it can also be started indoors and transplanted in early spring, but the bulbs are typically smaller. Protect plants from heavy frost with mulch.

NOTE: This garlic ships as 2 organic bulbs. Garlic characteristics can vary depending on location, winter temps and length, and soil mineralization across the country.