One of the great joys of growing garlic is the wide array of beautiful garlics and diverse flavor profiles. There’s so many to choose from! But then the reality of market farming jumps in, and the quest for a top-quality, reliably high yielding garlic to anchor market tables, CSA boxes and chef sales becomes important too. Every farm has its own unique conditions, so your lineup may take a few seasons of strategic trial and error to develop.
Inchelium Red, an artichoke softneck has been our anchor variety for decades. Its size is often impressive and flavor excellent both raw and in dishes. We’ve found that while many folks like the variety of colors and flavors, for week-to-week sales both at market and to chefs, Inchelium Red is the first choice. Easy to use and great flavor just wins. Great storage and high yields make it a reliable anchor.
Finding Your Anchor Varieties for Market Success
In working with garlic growers for decades, we’ve learned that the best approach is often a curated mix: a couple of dependable “workhorse” varieties for volume and consistency, plus a few standout types that bring excitement, unique flavors, and visual appeal to your offerings. This strategy lets you enjoy the diversity (we all need something exciting at times!) while building a solid business foundation.
Softnecks (especially Artichokes and Silverskins) often shine for commercial reliability. They tend to produce higher clove counts, store well, braid beautifully for increased sales options, and perform well in a range of climates. Probably the most challenging conditions for artichokes are soggy soils and extreme cold. Turbans are another go-to, with early scapes and early harvests, big bulbs and many large easy-peel cloves. Hardnecks bring premium appeal in the right market and thrive in cold-winter climates. Asiatic varieties like Pyongyang bridge many climates and can reach a good size too, with a reasonable number of good-sized cloves.
For market farming, prioritize varieties that deliver on these key traits:
- Consistent, large bulbs with good uniformity and clove size. Large bulbs, big cloves and high clove count give high returns both from seed and from the bed.
- Full-season span, both early-harvest varieties and long-storing ones, to gain early customers and keep them.
- Excellent flavor for all culinary needs, both raw and cooked.
- Adaptability to your climate and growing conditions.
- For long storage, especially in milder climates, choose varieties that are not vulnerable to bulb mites. We’ve found Artichokes, Silverskins, Creoles and Turbans fare best against mites. Check out our Garlic FAQS for other tips on dealing with mites if your location is vulnerable to them.
Where to begin
- Start focused: Plant 2–4 main varieties your first few seasons while trialing a few others in small plots. Track yields, bulb size, storage, and customer feedback.
- Match to your market: Big, uniform bulbs that clean up well – purples, magentas, whites, opalescent braided silverskins – sell themselves at markets. Easy-peel, complex flavors win over chefs and foodies. Early-harvest and long-storing types extend your sales window.
- Consider your climate: Southern Oregon’s mild winters suit many garlic types, but select and test what should thrive in your specific soil and micro-climate. Check out our Best Garlic Varieties post for some ideas.
Garlic can be a great addition to a market farm. Finding the right anchor varieties for your farm can provide a reliable revenue stream, and smaller plantings of unique varieties will keep life interesting.