Superior Garlic Starts Here
Choose from hardneck and softneck varieties selected for potent flavor, dependable performance, and long-term storage.
Why Grow Your Own Garlic?
Easy to Grow
Quick to plant, simple to harvest.
Richer Flavor
Fresh-picked means fuller flavor.
Good for You
Packed with natural antioxidants.
Stores for Months
Garlic has excellent storage life.
Hardneck vs. Softneck: Choosing the Right Garlic
Find the garlic type that suits your taste and growing conditions.
Hardneck Garlic
Best for colder climates, Zones 3–6
Why gardeners love hardneck garlic:
- Rich, complex flavor
- Edible garlic scapes
- Large easy-to-peel cloves
- Excellent for roasting
Popular varieties:
"So easy to grow and so rewarding."
'Music' Garlic - New Hampshire gardener
Softneck Garlic
Best for warmer climates, Zones 7–9
Why gardeners love softneck garlic:
- Smooth, mild flavor
- Preferred type for braiding
- Stores well
- Produces more cloves per bulb
Popular varieties:
"Hands down the best garlic I've tasted!"
'Texas Rose' Garlic - Louisiana gardener
Three Garlic Options to Get You Started
These are the varieties our team reaches for season after season.
Burpee Garlic Tip
Plant your seed garlic as soon as possible after it arrives.
Divide the heads into individual cloves and plant them separately, as each clove will multiply in the soil to form a complete new bulb.
From the Burpee Garden Guide
How to Plant Garlic
Plant in fall for a spring or summer harvest—garlic is easy to grow and rewarding to harvest.
The 6 Steps for Planting Garlic
1. Start With Seed Garlic
Store-bought garlic is often treated to prevent sprouting. Always start with seed garlic as they are selected for fertility and vigor.
4. Plant Cloves 1–2" Deep
Set each clove root-side down, pointed end up—and push gently into the soil before covering. Cloves will multiply underground to form a complete new bulb.
2. Prepare Your Soil
Garlic thrives in fertile, well-drained soil with at least 6 hours of direct sun. Before planting, work compost or bulk fertilize into the bed for strong bulb development.
5. Give Cloves Room to Grow
Space cloves 4–6" apart, with rows 6–12" apart. Using a dibbler makes spacing quick and consistent.
3. Separate Cloves Before Planting
Break bulbs apart the day you plant. Keep cloves in their papery skin until they go in the ground, as larger cloves generally produce larger bulbs.
6. Water and Mulch
Water thoroughly after planting. Before winter sets in, apply a layer of straw mulch to help insulate bulbs through cold temperatures.
Watch a Burpee Horticulturalist Walk Through the Steps
Got Scapes?
Keep the Scapes
Hardneck garlic produces curling green flower stalks called scapes each spring. Most gardeners trim scapes to redirect the plant's energy into bulb development—but don't toss them! Scapes are edible and among the best seasonal flavors the garden offers.
Flavor Notes:
- Bright
- Grassy
- Lightly sweet
- Savory
- Garlicky
Culinary Uses:
- Pesto
- Stir-fry
- Grilled
- Compound butter
- Pasta
Bring Fresh Garlic to the Table
Quick Kitchen Bites
Garlicky Noodles with Chives & Parmesan
Cook thin spaghetti until al dente, then drain. Toss the hot pasta with roasted garlic and a generous drizzle of olive oil until well coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Plate and finish with freshly grated Parmesan and sliced chives.
Ingredients
- Roasted garlic
- Olive oil
- Thin spaghetti
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper
- Sliced chives