With most garlic varieties taking up to 8 months to grow, garlic isn’t the best crop for impatient gardeners. However, some varieties will grow faster than others, with some garlic growing to maturity in half the time! So what are the top 5 fastest-growing garlic varieties for impatient gardeners? Keep reading to find out!
What are the main types of garlic?
Garlic is an incredibly diverse plant. Many people who purchase garlic from the grocery store but have never grown it on their own will likely have only tried one type, but there are tons of garlic varieties from all around the world. The two many groups of garlic are softneck, and hardneck, which each break down into subtypes of several different garlic varieties. The most common variety of garlic carried in most grocery stores is artichoke garlic, which is of the softneck group. Some hardneck garlic varieties include purple stripe, marbled purple stripe, porcelain[1], and more.
So what is the main difference between softneck and hardneck garlic? The terms softneck and hardneck refer “to the stalk that grows upward from the garlic bulb”[4]. The stalk of hardnecks is rigid all the way to maturity, whereas softneck garlic has leaves rather than a single stock, which are more flexible. Softnecks also have thinner more papery skin, while hardnecks have thicker brittle skin. Softnecks also have a milder flavor, and fair better in mild climates. Hardnecks have a more intense flavor generally, and they can withstand colder temperatures. Softneck garlic varieties also typically grow faster than hardnecks, but there are several fast-growing hardneck varieties, depending on which season they are planted. Depending on your palate, climate, and patience, you may choose to grow soft or hardneck varieties of garlic.
What are the top 5 fastest-growing garlic varieties?
1. Extra Early Wight
Group: Hardneck
Growing time: 6-8 months
Planting season: Autumn
Harvest season: Spring
Extra early wight garlic is one of the fastest-growing hardneck garlic varieties. This garlic is very hardy and can overwinter well, and it will grow well in mild to cold climates. The flavor of this garlic is fresh and crisp, and each bulb holds about 6-10 cloves[3]. This garlic should be planted in the fall and will be ready for harvest in the Spring, taking around 6-8 months from planting to harvest.
2. Red Toch
Group: Softneck
Growing time: 5-8 months
Planting season: Autumn
Harvest season: Spring
Red Toch garlic is of the artichoke subtype of the softneck variety. Red Toch garlic has red and purple bulbs which can be seen through the fine papery skin of the garlic bulb. This garlic grows about 10-15 cloves per bulb[2] and has a mild and aromatic flavor. If planted in the fall this garlic will be ready to harvest in the spring with a growth time of 5-8 months. Many gardeners plant this garlic “6-8 weeks before the first frost, for a spring harvest”[3].
3. Russian Red
Group: Hardneck
Growing time: 3-8 months*
Planting season: Spring/Summer or Fall/Winter
Harvest season: Fall/Winter or Spring/Summer
Russian red is another variety of hardneck garlic that matures very quickly. This garlic has an intense and sweet flavor, with each bulb growing about 6-9 bulbs[3]. When Russian red garlic is planted in the spring or summer it can be ready to harvest in as little as 3 months! Typically, spring or summer planted Russian red garlic will take 90-154 days to reach maturity[3]. If you hold off planting this variety until the fall or winter it will take much longer to maturate, around 225-240 days[3], however, the bulbs will be larger than those planted in spring and summer.
4. Spanish Roja
Group: Hardneck
Growing time: 3-8 months*
Planting season: Spring or Fall
Harvest season: Summer or Spring
Spanish Roja is another surprisingly fast-growing hardneck garlic variety. This variety is enjoyed for its balanced flavor. Spanish Roja garlic has white-colored bulbs with dark purple stripes. Each bulb holds about 8-9 cloves[3] which are covered in a brown peel. Spanish Roja should be planted in the spring the fastest growing time, with this variety reaching full maturation and ready for harvest in just 90 days! If planted in the fall, you can expect to harvest your Spanish Roja in 240 days[3].
5. California Early Softneck
Group: Softneck
Growing time: 3-8 months*
Planting season: Spring or Fall
Harvest season: Summer or Spring
California early softneck garlic is a super popular variety, and the reason is in the name; California early softneck garlic matures earlier than many other varieties. This garlic variety has a mild flavor that can be enjoyed by many. One of the many perks of this garlic variety is that it can also store for very long, up to 6 months[3]. California early softneck garlic should be planted in the spring, and it will be ready to harvest in just 90 days! If planted in the fall, this garlic will be ready to harvest in the standard 8 months.
While garlic is typically regarded as a slow-growing crop, you can speed up your harvest time by selecting your variety and planting time carefully. Try planting one of these fast-growing garlic varieties and you could be enjoying fresh homegrown garlic in just 3 months!
Article Sources:
- Gardening Channel. “10 Types of Garlic Every Gardener Needs to Know“
- Hood River Garlic. “Red Toch“
- Home Garden Vegetables. “What is The Fastest Growing Garlic Variety – 7 Varieties To Try!“
- Spruce. “What Is the Difference Between Hardneck and Softneck Garlic“
