Growing Italian Late garlic is a great way to enjoy a tasty
variety of garlic
while also extending your harvest. As compared to other garlic
varieties, this one is ready later in the spring or summer so you can get
more garlic for a longer period of time if you add it to other types in the
garden. With some basic Italian Late information, you’ll find it easy to grow.
What is Italian Late Garlic?
Italian Late garlic is a softneck variety. This means it
does not have the tough flower stalk of hardneck garlics that needs to be
removed to encourage bulb development. Softnecks produce more cloves per bulb
as well.
The flavor of Italian Late is robust but not overly hot
compared to other varieties. The taste is rich and lingers on the palate. This
garlic’s aroma is very pungent. Like other types of garlic, the flavor can vary
by year depending on the growing conditions.
A desirable property of Italian Late garlic is that the
bulbs store well. As a softneck type, you can braid the stems and hang bulbs to
dry. Once dry, they will store most of the winter, up to six months.
How to Grow Italian Late Garlic
Italian Late garlic plants are not fussy. Compared to some
similar types of garlic, these will grow in a range of climates and soil types.
Plant the garlic in a sunny spot with fertile soil—mix in compost if necessary.
Make sure the area drains well and avoid standing water.
Plant Italian Late outdoors about six to eight weeks before
the ground freezes in the fall. In warmer climates, you can plant it as late as
early spring. Water the garlic regularly in the spring and slow down as it gets
closer to harvest time.
In most areas, the bulbs will be ready to harvest mid-summer. Look for dry, brown lower leaves with a few of the top leaves still green for a sign that the bulbs are ready.
You shouldn’t have too many problems or pests with your
Italian Late garlic plants. The most likely issue is overwatering and standing
water, which can cause roots to rot.
Growing Italian Late garlic is a great way to enjoy a tasty
variety of garlic
while also extending your harvest. As compared to other garlic
varieties, this one is ready later in the spring or summer so you can get
more garlic for a longer period of time if you add it to other types in the
garden. With some basic Italian Late information, you’ll find it easy to grow.
What is Italian Late Garlic?
Italian Late garlic is a softneck variety. This means it
does not have the tough flower stalk of hardneck garlics that needs to be
removed to encourage bulb development. Softnecks produce more cloves per bulb
as well.
The flavor of Italian Late is robust but not overly hot
compared to other varieties. The taste is rich and lingers on the palate. This
garlic’s aroma is very pungent. Like other types of garlic, the flavor can vary
by year depending on the growing conditions.
A desirable property of Italian Late garlic is that the
bulbs store well. As a softneck type, you can braid the stems and hang bulbs to
dry. Once dry, they will store most of the winter, up to six months.
How to Grow Italian Late Garlic
Italian Late garlic plants are not fussy. Compared to some
similar types of garlic, these will grow in a range of climates and soil types.
Plant the garlic in a sunny spot with fertile soil—mix in compost if necessary.
Make sure the area drains well and avoid standing water.
Plant Italian Late outdoors about six to eight weeks before
the ground freezes in the fall. In warmer climates, you can plant it as late as
early spring. Water the garlic regularly in the spring and slow down as it gets
closer to harvest time.
In most areas, the bulbs will be ready to harvest mid-summer. Look for dry, brown lower leaves with a few of the top leaves still green for a sign that the bulbs are ready.
You shouldn’t have too many problems or pests with your
Italian Late garlic plants. The most likely issue is overwatering and standing
water, which can cause roots to rot.