Frequently Asked Questions
How much seed do I need? Although 6 inch spacing is usually enough for seed garlic, 8″ will ensure the very largest bulbs. So, a 4′ x 4′ bed will hold up to 64 plants. Since these are averages, make sure you order a bit extra. You can always eat it!
For 6” spacing: Width (feet) times 2 X Length (feet) times 2 = Cloves Needed to Plant.
For 8” spacing: Width (feet) times 1.5 X Length (feet) times 1.5 = Cloves Needed to Plant.
When will my garlic ship? Fall shipping of seed garlic begins shipping from our farm beginning the first week in September. Orders ship in the order received. We appreciate full payment for your order before we ship. We will send you a tracking number if requested.
Planting Instructions It is recommended to plant your seed garlic around six weeks before the ground freezes. This will give the garlic time to get its roots established, but no top growth should be evident. (Once the ground thaws in the spring and the soil begins to warm, green shoots will emerge.) We plant at our farm beginning no earlier than the week after Thanksgiving.
When planting, separate your garlic bulbs into cloves, planting your garlic cloves pointed end up 6-8 inches apart, and about three times deeper than the clove is tall. Mulch well with 3-6 inches of weed-free straw, hay, or cut grasses.
Garlic does not compete well with weeds. A couple of thorough weedings during the growing season will ensure the largest possible bulb size at harvest. Mulch helps with weed pressure, and also retains moisture.
Garlic likes moist but not wet soil and appreciates consistent moisture.
Hardneck garlic produces a scape which is the flower stalk of the garlic. It needs to be removed once it curls around 1-2 times, before it becomes woody. Scapes are delicious cooked, pickled and dried. Removing scapes helps the plant put it’s growing energy into the garlic bulb, which helps the garlic bulb grow bigger.
Garlic needs to be dry for a few weeks before harvest so if you water it, stop about 3 weeks before harvest. Garlic won’t store as well if it is harvested from wet ground.
Hardneck Garlic We grow mostly hardneck garlic at Swallowtail Farm. It loves cold winters, and seems well suited to our climate. Hardneck garlics have superior flavour
and produce beautiful and delicious garlic scapes a few weeks before the harvest.
What is #2 Garlic Seed? #2 seed garlic is simply garlic that is slightly smaller than our normally acceptable seed garlic size. This seed if planted and well cared for will produce great garlic. Being smaller than we like, we offer it at a 20% discount.
Is Your Garlic Chemically Treated? While our garlic is not certified organic we do use organic farming practices and never treat any of our products with any chemicals.
Ordering and Shipping
We ship within Canada by Canada Post for orders under 25 lb.
Over 25 lb. Contact us for best shipping method.
Payment can be made by e-transfer.
Please contact us to reserve your garlic and to arrange shipping.
Limits on Quantities
Supplies are limited so order early to ensure your selection is not sold out. If you are thinking of planting this fall, it’s never too early to place your order. Some varieties sell out quickly
SWALLOWTAIL FARM’S GARLIC IS GROWING IN THE FIELD FOR YOU!