Garlic Braiding

Christy Wilhelmi of Gardenerd.com shows you how to braid garlic easily. Grow your own and display it in your kitchen. Visit www.gardenerd.com for more tips and tidbits on organic gardening.

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[GromphaPlantMan]

I'm new with growing garlic, and I've reading up on the many varieties of garlic. Where would you suggest the best source for varieties like yours??

[gardenerd1]

Annie's Heirloom Seeds has Kettle River Giant, as does this place Organic Garlic Seed Farm. You'll see that everywhere is sold out for now, but come fall, they will all be restocked. That's the best time to get garlic for planting.

Seeds of Change, Seed Savers Exchange and Territorial Seed company are all good places to get garlic for growing.

[Ilovesmesomeketchup]

When you braid it and are using it, is there an order to what ones you should use first to keep the braid? like go from top to bottom? Also how long does a crop of garlic like that last in a kitchen?

[gardenerd1]

Great question! To use garlic in a braid, you start using bulbs from the end that is tied off to finish, which means the top. How long it lasts depends upon the variety you grow. Kettle River Giant lasts about 9 months, others only 4-6.

[Tom Butler]

What variety of softneck garlic are you growing? Those bulbs are huge! I have numerous hardneck varieties growing, but only one softneck; Inchelium Red. Nice looking braid! Thanks.

[gardenerd1]

The garlic featured is Kettle River Giant. It lives up to its name. I've never had much luck with Inchelium Red in Southern Calfornia, but elsewhere it may grow well. It must, since it's so popular.

[supernova7754]

thanks nice job.

[gardenerd1]

I usually leave garlic out on newspaper for at least 3 weeks to cure before braiding it. Good luck!