Garlic decision: Forever Yong or We Grow Garlic?

11 years ago

I'm thinking about putting in an online garlic order for my first effort at growing my own, and I'm torn between Forever Yong and We Grow Garlic. We Grow Garlic has more varieties, but I don't know how well their Wisconsin garlic might do in our climate compared to the varieties that thrive in hot, dry Arizona at Forever Yong (and you've got to love the Bob Dylan wordplay in that farm name!). Does anyone have a strong preference based on past experience?

Many thanks in advance!

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Comments (6)

elkwc
11 years ago
Sancho Panza,
I have ordered from We Grow Garlic for several years. I started because of Martin. The Martin's garlic they sell is his heirloom. He is one of the true all around gardeners on the web. He is the one who taught me the ropes so to speak about growing garlic. I have bought a few bulbs from other sources on occasion also. I need to finish up a few things tonight and hit the hay. One of my favorites is Estonian Red/Red Estonian. I can list some more of my favorites that do well here in extreme SW KS for me if you desire. I placed an order with We Grow Garlic this evening for a variety from NM I have been wanting to try. I like to grow the heirloom varieties of plants from this general area. They usually do better as they have been grown for many years in our harsh conditions. I know a crop consultant who used to say that the western Panhandle of OK, The northern Panhandle of Texas and the extreme SW corner of KS was the most challenging of any area in the USA to grow corn or vegetables. I used to feel he was over stating it a little but the more I'm on the forums I'm beginning to feel he might be correct. And if a variety will do well here it will usually do well most places. With that being said I've had good luck with many of the varieties I've bought from them. Many of the varieties they sell didn't originate in WI. I have never heard of the other farm so can't comment on them. They have a few nice varieties but selection is small. I will attach a link to a site in TX that has some nice varieties and a lot of good info. I have never purchased from him either. Filaree is one of those who I have purchased from. Jay

Here is a link that might be useful: Gourmet garlic gardens
Pamchesbay
11 years ago
Hi Jay - I've grown garlic for three years, and enjoy trying new varieties, so I was interested in your post.

I visited the We Grow Garlic site. Good grief! These folks are growing at least 235 varieties and ask visitors to recommend more. The choices were overwhelming, and I had questions about which varieties were likely to grow better in the South.

I also visited the Gourmet Garlic Gardens site - they had lots of good info about growing techniques and an article, "Growing Garlic in the South" that included "What kinds of Garlic Grow Well in Warmer Climates? What kinds don't?" that was very helpful. (attached for anyone who has questions about growing garlic in warmer climates)

Pam

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing Garlic in the South
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sancho_panza_ok
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks to both Jay and Pam for the information and links! And Jay, if you did have time to list more of your favorites, that would be great.

Thanks again!

Sancho
elkwc
11 years ago
Sancho,
I cut back last year quite a bit on the varieties I grew for harvest this season. Will be trying a few new for 013 harvest. I'm selecting mainly those varieties with 8 or fewer cloves and that have large size cloves. The larger the cloves the easier they normally are to peel. I grow an Elephant selection from CO that is normally huge and has a mild flavor. Metechi and German Hardneck are two more that have done well here most years. The bulb size doesn't have to be as big if a variety only has 3-4 cloves to have large clove size. Chamisal Wild and Ayacucho are both varieties that I grew for the first time this past season and they look good. They are dry now and I need to get all of the garlic trimmed up and out of the heat. Last year due to work conditions I didn't label all of the varieties when I dug them. I didn't label what I felt were bulbs with small cloves. I got fooled. After they dried and I started to use them I found several with large cloves. I planted them as assorted unknown last fall. Have some very nice bulbs with nice cloves from them. I had plated 22 varieties the fall before so not for sure what they are. I really don't care as long as they do well I will continue to plant those with large cloves. Khabar had some nice bulbs this year but wasn't real consistent. Music didn't do well here. But I planted it a few weeks later. So will replant a few earlier in the season this fall to give them a fair chance. Among those I'm adding to grow this fall is Penasco Blue. A NM heirloom. I've found that the heirlooms from this general area many times will perform better at least from the start. Some varieties will gradually adapt to an area after being grown there a few years. Estonian Red and the Elephant are both must grows every year. Metechi is fast becoming one. And if some of the new varieties I mentioned continue to do well they will join them. Jay
biradarcm
11 years ago
jay,

Thanks for the update. I am following your previous and new posts on garlic. I am very eager to try all those variety you recommended for 2013 harvest.

-Chandra
sancho_panza_ok
Original Author
11 years ago
Many thanks again to everyone! I ended up checking the site Pam recommended for info about growing garlic here and placing an order with We Grow Garlic as Jay recommended. I'll be trying Chamisal Wild, Lorz Italian, and Metechi - We Grow Garlic was already sold out of some other varieties I was also interested in, but these three sound like a good first effort for an in-town backyard gardener like me. *fingers crossed*

By the way, how do people like to store their garlic between receiving it and planting it in October?

Thank you!

Sancho

Garlic decision: Forever Yong or We Grow Garlic?

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elkwc

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Garlic decision: Forever Yong or We Grow Garlic?

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elkwc

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