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There are two major varieties of garlic, hardneck (ophioscorodon) and softneck (sativum). There are hundreds of varieties of garlic in existence—many more than the one plain type that you see at the grocery store.
Just like veggies, garlic needs to be spaced properly so it has room to grow. Because I plant so much garlic each fall, Hubby made me this plantermajigger from a piece of scrap wood and some dowels.
Now it's time to prepare your seed garlic. I like the different varieties at Bradley Creek and Botanical Interests but you can use organic garlic from the farmers' market too. Don't use the kind at the grocery store, because it's usually sprayed with chemicals and stuff that keeps it from sprouting. This is Chesnok Red and Basque Turban.
Your garlic will grow all through the winter and spring and will be ready to harvest in June or July. You can get some gigantic garlic when you grow your own!