The use of garlic for medicinal and culinary purposes is nearly as old a civilization. Easy to grow and nearly carefree, it thrives in almost any soil, but is especially fond of rich, deeply cultivated soil.
There are almost as many varieties of garlic as geographic locations, but these are all placed in two basic categories: hardneck and softneck. Hardneck garlic has a stiff central woody stem and peels easily. The flavor is usually fairly mild and the cloves store for 6-8 months. These are the best types for cooler climates as they tend to be more cold hardy than softneck varieties. Softneck, or braiding garlics do not produce a flower spike and are more productive than the hardneck types. They tend to have a stronger flavor and keep far longer (up to a year).
Garlic can be planted in both spring and autumn, but it tends to produce better and earlier if planted in the fall.
