Our Garlic
Garlic has been around for several millennia and dates back to the "Old World" when the Egyptians and Indian cultures referred to garlic some 5000 years ago. That makes garlic one of the oldest known horticultural crops.
Garlic (Allium sativum) belongs to the Alliaceae family, the same family as onions, shallots and leeks. At UpBack Farms we grow hardneck garlic which is one of two types, the other being softneck garlic. Hardneck garlic is ideal to grow in Canada because it needs a period of prolonged cold temperatures to promote root growth and to flower. We affectionately call this period of prolonged cold temperatures the Canadian winter. Hardneck garlic gets its name from the hard, stiff stem that grows up from the bulb. This stem is called the scape, and it eventually produces a flower stalk. At the end of the growing season the flower will “bolt”, meaning the plant will produce an umbel, which is a fancy word for a seed capsule. These seeds or bulbils can be planted, cured and replanted and within 2-5 years, depending on the variety, will become a full mature garlic plant.
There are several different varieties of hardneck garlic, each with its own unique flavour and appearance. Hardneck garlic is known for its easy-to-peel cloves, unique flavour and health benefits, which include boosting the immune system, reducing cholesterol levels, and regulating blood pressure.
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Our goal at UpBack Farms is to grow premium seed and culinary garlic. Not only do we want to grow the best garlic possible, we also want to share our journey and experience with you so you, in turn, can grow garlic for yourself no matter where you live in Canada.
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This year we are growing eight different varieties;
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From the Porcelain family, Music and Susan Delafield
From the Marbled Purple Stripe family, Red Russian and Purple Russia
From the Purple Stripe family, Chesnok Red and Persian Star and finally;
From the Rocambole family, Killarney Red and Spanish Roja.
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Porcelain
Porcelain garlic is a hardneck garlic variety that is known for its beautiful, pure white appearance and large, plump cloves. It is believed to have originated in central Asia and is now grown in various regions around the world, including the United States, Europe, Asia and of course here in Canada. Porcelain garlic is a popular variety grown in Canada due to their ability to withstand our cold winter temperatures. A “go to” garlic for many growers, both backyard green thumbs and larger scale enthusiasts, these bulbs get their name from their outer porcelain coloured layer. For those home chefs and cooking enthusiasts the cloves are large making them very easy to use in the kitchen. If you are new to growing garlic or just want to use garlic in the kitchen, we recommend our Music or Susan Delafield from this garlic family.
Porcelain garlic characteristics:
Growing: Porcelain garlic is a hardneck variety that is best suited for colder climates. It grows best in rich well-drained soil, raised beds definitely help too, with full sun exposure. It is typically planted in the Fall and harvested the following Summer.
Bulb: Porcelain garlic produces large, round bulbs with a white papery skin that is easily removed. The bulbs typically have between 4-5 large cloves and are typically arranged in a circular pattern around the stem.
Flavour: Porcelain garlic has a strong and pungent flavour with a hot and spicy taste as in spicy-hot. The flavour can vary depending on the soil and climate conditions in which it is grown.
Culinary Uses: Porcelain garlic is a versatile ingredient that is used in a wide range of dishes, from soups and stews to roasted vegetables and marinades.
Storage: Up to 6-8 months in a cool and dry place that's well-ventilated.
Marbled Purple Stripe
Marbled Purple Stripe garlic is a hardneck garlic variety that is known for its beautiful purple-striped appearance. Originating from Eastern Europe, this type of garlic is considered a heritage variety and has been cultivated for centuries in Ukraine and Romania. It is grown for both culinary and medicinal purposes and is known for its powerful antimicrobial properties.
Marbled Purple Stripe garlic characteristics:
Growing: Well suited for cold climates making it a popular choice for gardeners in northern climates. Plant in Fall and harvest the following Summer in July. Does well in wetter conditions.
Bulb: The bulbs have a distinctive, almost square shape and are composed of 8-12 large cloves with a white, creamy-coloured skin.
Flavour: Bold spicy flavour that is slightly sweet and tangy.
Culinary Uses: soups, stews, marinades, and roasted vegetables.
Storage: 5 to 6 months in a cool dry place.
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Purple Stripe
Purple Stripe garlic is believed to have originated in the Caucasus Mountains of central Asia and is thought to be the original ancestors of all the garlic species. This variety gets its name from the stunning purple striping of the bulb wrappers and clove skins. The cloves are smaller than Rocamboles and Marbled Purple Stripes and are tightly wrapped which allows for longer storage. With a striking flavour profile that is complex and very garlicky, Purple Stripe garlics are amongst the top-rated culinary garlics on the market.
In addition to its culinary uses, Purple Stripe garlic is also valued for its medicinal properties. It contains high levels of allicin, a compound that has been shown to have powerful antimicrobial properties and may even help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. Amazing!
Purple Stripe garlic characteristics:
Growing: Hardy and easy-to-grow variety. Typically planted in the Fall, around late October to early November and harvested in the summer months.
Bulb: 6-8 cloves tightly wrap cloves which vary in size from large to very small..
Flavour: With a bold, spicy flavour that is slightly sweet and tangy, the flavour of Purple Stripe garlic is known to be more complex and nuanced compared to other garlic varieties.
Culinary Uses: Great for roasting
Storage: 6-8 months in a cool, dark dry place…like a garlic jar
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Rocambole
Rocambole garlic is believed to have originated in central Asia and is now grown in various regions around the world and Canada is no exception. Rocambole garlic is a hardneck garlic variety that is known for its distinctive curled scape with a papery, light brown skin and spicy flavour that is often described as "rich" or "buttery." It is considered the best tasting garlic and because of this tasty reputation it is a very popular choice with chefs, garlic enthusiasts and serious foodies. Although it’s not the easiest of garlics to grow, given the correct conditions and a little know-how, this variety will thrive and it will not disappoint you. This early season variety is full-flavoured that can be enjoyed while waiting for the later season garlic to be harvested.
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Rocambole characteristics:
Growing: Another hardneck variety that is well-suited for cold weather conditions. It is typically planted in the fall, around September or October, and harvested in mid-season, usually around late June to early July. This variety flourishes in dry hot conditions.
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Blub: Composed of 8-12 cloves which vary in size from large to small.
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Flavour: Bold spicy flavour often described as “rich” or “buttery”.
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Culinary Uses: used in a variety of dishes, including sauces, marinades, and roasted vegetables, and are prized for their bold and robust flavour. Consume raw to enjoy the very hot flavour but Rocaboles also make a great garlic powder.
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Storage: Rocamboles also have the shortest shelf life, 4-5 months, so be sure to enjoy these beauties early.