Group: Turban Description: These weakly-bolting hardback garlics have bulbs that are usually flattened globe shapes, with purple blotched or heavily striped skins, which split easily. Scapes generally grow as an upside-down U with umbels resembling a turban. Numerous small to medium bulbils are found in the umbel (generally 40–50). Plants are smaller and floppier with medium well-spaced leaves. Early to plant and harvest. High temperatures early in spring can cause the whole plant to fall over Cloves: Plump cloves are usually in one layer with one or two smaller in the middle, 7–15 cloves to a bulb with some being enclosed in a second skin. Cloves have glossy bronze to pink-red to purple skins that are easy to peel. Climate: Grows best in NSW, VIC, SA, TAS and mid/ south WA. In warmer regions it may not grow a scape Flavour: Raw cloves have simple, crisp savoury flavours that can be initially mild to hot, but the heat quickly fades. Some have very sweet rich fruity flavours. Lovely roasted. Storage: 4–5 months Planting: Feb-Apr Harvest: Oct - Dec How to grow garlic: 1 Improve soil prior to planting by incorporating well-rotted compost, manure and organic fertilisers such as rock dust and blood and bone prior to planting. Garlic is a bulb, so good drainage is essential. If your soil becomes damp or waterlogged throughout winter. Mound soil up to improve drainage. 2 Split garlic bulbs into their individual cloves. To ensure the best result, select the plumpest cloves for planting out, leaving smaller cloves for the kitchen. 3 Plant individual cloves, pointy end upward, in holes 5cm deep and 10-12 cm apart. Space rows 15-20cm apart. Gently backfill and water to settle soil in around each clove. 4 Mulch with sugarcane or straw to a depth of 7-10cm. Shoots will push through the mulch so cover the entire area to prevent weed growth during winter. 5 Water as required once shoots are around 10cm tall. Garlic prefers a moist, not wet soil. Apply a liquid fertiliser of seaweed (Granular Seaweed Solution) or fish emulsion (Ocean Brew) fortnightly during the growing season to keep garlic healthy and productive. How to harvest garlic: Garlic is ready to harvest when the leaves begin to dry and there are only 4-5 green leaves remaining. These remaining leaves become the protective skins as cloves dry and harden. Dig up garlic using a fork or trowel to minimise damage to the bulb. Shake to remove loose soil and hang in clumps in a dry, airy place away from direct sunlight for 1-2 months to allow the bulbs to harden.