The Home Gardener
Garlic and shallots are not difficult to grow and there are very few things that add as much flavor to your cooking as adding shallots or garlic. And nothing is fresher than shallots or garlic from your own garden. Whatever your level of gardening expertise, Alpha Garlic Farm's shallots or garlic will not let you down. Growing garlic
If you're not ready to grow your own yet, you can still enjoy the best-tasting garlic and shallots by ordering Alpha Garlic Farm's Table Stock.
You start the process by going to our Order Page where you can order on-line or go directly to our Order Form. Questions? Send us an email.

Growing Garlic
  Planting:
  • In fall - about 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes
  • Separate the bulb into cloves and plant cloves about 4 inches deep with the narrow pointy part up in rows about 6 inches apart.
  • Mulch with about 3-4 inches of straw. This can be done after the first frost and will protect your plants from winter heaving.
Spring:
  • Starting from around March 1st through July 1st, water minimum of 1 inch per week.
  • Garlic naturally wants to start drying down after July 1st so stop watering and leave it to whatever Mother Nature provides in the form of rain.
  • Weeds are a very aggressive competitor for garlic - try to keep your patch weed-free
  • Apply a regular garden fertilizer (15-15-15) in early Spring (about when you start watering) using 1 pound of fertilizer to 10 feet of garlic
  • About 1 month later, you can fertilize again (top dress) with a nitrogen fertilizer
  • Do not use any fertilizer after May 10th
Harvesting:
  • The garlic is ready to harvest when 2 to 3 bottom leaves turn brown (around the middle fo July in New York and most of New England). It is better to harvest a few days earlier than later
  • Allow bulbs to cure for 10-14 days before trimming stem and roots
  • Dry for about 4 weeks (out of direct sunlight in a area with good airflow)
  • You may also use the garlic as soon as harvested (fresh garlic is a little harder to peel but just as delicious)
What are Garlic Scapes? alpha garlic farm Garlic scapes are long, thin loops that form on top of the garlic stem on hardneck garlic varieties beginning in late May and into June. Scapes should be removed from the plant as they appear (cut or break off) so the garlic's energy can be concentrated on growing larger bulbs. All Alpha Garlic Farm's garlic are hardneck varieties and that's good for you because these scapes are a real bonus. Although they have a mellower flavor than the garlic you'll soon be harvesting, they are quite delicious.

What can you do with the scapes? For starters, slice them into scrambled eggs or omelettes. Or toss them with a little bit of olive oil and salt and then roast in the oven or on the grill. Once done, they're delicious to chomp on, use as a pizza topping or crumbled on a salad for a hint of garlic flavor.

Scapes are a wonderful treat to enjoy while you wait for your garlic to mature


Growing Shallots
  Planting:
  • Can be planted in fall or spring. If there is not enough snow cover over the winter, there can be growth problems resulting in smaller bulbs. That is why we suggest early spring planting. Bulbs planted planted in April will be ready by the latter part of July, those planted fall will be ready early the following summer. We are shipping shallots starting April 10th for planting stock; July 25th for eating or fall planting
  • Plant in full sun with the root scar down & pointed end up; space bulbs about 5-6 inches apart in rows 18" apart with the tops barely below the soil.
  • Sandy loam or loam soils are best. If you have clay soil, best to use raised beds.
    Ideal PH is 6.5 to 6.8
  • Water often (1" to 1 1/2" per week) especially in the beginning - don't allow the soil to dry out until the bulbs start to dry down.
  • Compost or fertilizer are excellent additions to your soil whether you are organic or conventional.
  • Weeding is very IMPORTANT! Try and keep the rows weed free.
Harvesting & Storage:
  • Harvest shallots when the tops are drying.
  • Pull up the clusters and cure in a warm but shady place with ventilation.
  • Store your shallots in mesh bags (like onion sacks) in a cool dry area. They can be stored for up to 8 months if kept at their optimum storage temperature of 35-45°F
Unlike garlic, smaller bulbs will yield larger bulbs of shallots (though fewer).		 alpha garlic  
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