All articles

Everything on Purple Garlic Almanac, organised by topic.

Growing Garlic

Hardneck vs Softneck Garlic: Choose What to Plant — Choose hardneck garlic for a reliably cold winter, edible scapes, and fewer large cloves.
Garlic Leaves Turning Yellow: Normal or a Problem? — Lower garlic leaves normally yellow and brown as bulbs mature while several upper leaves remain green.
Garlic Vernalization: When Planting Stock Needs Cold — Most autumn-planted garlic receives vernalizing cold naturally in the ground.
Grow Garlic in Containers: Depth, Spacing, and Winter — Grow garlic in a container at least 12 inches deep with free drainage and fresh, loose potting mix.
How to Grow Hardneck Garlic in a Cold Climate — Grow hardneck garlic from clean, locally proven cloves in a sunny, well-drained bed.
How to Grow Garlic: From Single Clove to Full Harvest — Garlic is grown from individual cloves planted in fall, a few weeks before the ground freezes.
When to Plant Garlic: Fall Timing by Climate and Zone — Plant garlic during the fall window published for your location.

How to Freeze Garlic for Later Cooking — Yes, you can freeze garlic. Freeze sound cloves unpeeled for flexibility, or peel and chop them into tightly sealed recipe-size portions.
How to Cure and Store Garlic So It Keeps for Months — Store garlic as whole, cured bulbs at cool room temperature — roughly 55–65°F — in a dark spot with good airflow, like a mesh bag or open basket in a pantry.

Garlic in Oil Safety: Storage Rules That Matter — Untreated homemade garlic in oil must not be stored at room temperature.
Garlic Scapes: When to Cut Them and How to Cook Them — Garlic scapes are the edible curling flower stalks of hardneck garlic.
How to Roast Garlic in the Oven: Whole Heads or Cloves — To roast garlic, slice the top quarter inch off a whole head to expose the cloves, drizzle the cut surface with olive oil, and wrap the head in foil or…
Minced vs Sliced Garlic: Match the Cut to the Dish — Use minced garlic for stronger, even distribution through a sauce, filling or dressing.
How to Keep Garlic from Burning in the Pan — To keep garlic from burning, cut it evenly, use moderate heat, have the next ingredient ready, and stir while watching aroma and colour.