EARTHWISE GARLIC
Naturally Bold. Distinctly Oregon.
Hardneck vs Softneck Garlic — A Practical Guide to Heirloom Types
Not all garlic is the same. The type you choose affects flavor, clove size, storage life, and how well it grows in your climate. This guide covers everything you need to know to pick the right garlic for your garden and your kitchen.
The Two Main Categories
Hardneck Garlic
Hardneck garlic grows a stiff central stem called a scape — a curling flower stalk that appears in late spring. Cutting the scape redirects the plant's energy into the bulb, producing larger cloves. Scapes are also delicious eaten on their own.
Hardnecks tend to have:
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Fewer, larger cloves arranged in a single layer
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Bolder, more complex flavor than softnecks
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Shorter storage life (5–8 months)
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Better performance in colder climates
Hardneck is the right choice if you want maximum flavor and you'll use your garlic within several months of harvest.
Softneck Garlic
Softneck garlic doesn't produce a scape. Its flexible stem is what makes garlic braids possible. Softnecks are the type most commonly found in grocery stores — bred for long shelf life and adaptability across climates.
Softnecks tend to have:
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More cloves per bulb, arranged in multiple layers
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Milder, smoother flavor
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Longer storage life (8–12 months)
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Strong performance in both warm and cool climates
Softneck is the right choice if you want maximum storage life or plan to make garlic braids.
Hardneck Types We Grow
Porcelain
Porcelain garlic produces some of the largest cloves of any garlic type — typically just 4–6 per bulb, but impressively sized and easy to peel. Flavor is bold and complex with high allicin content. Excellent cold hardiness makes it one of the most reliable performers in northern climates.
Earthwise varieties: Music (medium heat, smooth finish), Georgian Fire (very hot, clean bold flavor)
Rocambole
Rocambole is widely considered the most flavorful of all garlic types — rich, complex, and unmistakably "true garlic." Cloves peel easily and the flavor shines both raw and cooked. The trade-off is shorter storage life, which is why Rocambole is rarely found commercially. Growing your own is the best way to enjoy it.
Earthwise variety: Ukrainian Red (moderate heat, classic garlic flavor)
Creole
Creole garlic originates from Spain and performs best in mild-winter climates. It's known for stunning magenta-colored cloves, bold spicy flavor, and surprisingly good storage for a hardneck — often 10 or more months. A favorite with chefs for its color and heat.
Earthwise variety: Donostia Red (spicy, rich heat, beautiful magenta cloves)
Softneck Types We Grow
Artichoke
Artichoke is the most widely grown softneck type — adaptable, high-yielding, and an excellent keeper. Bulbs are large with multiple layers of cloves. Flavor ranges from mild to bold depending on the variety. The flexible stem makes it ideal for braiding.
Earthwise varieties: Inchelium Red (mild–medium, excellent storage, great for braids), Lorz Italian (moderate–bold, generous yields, stunning in braids)
Quick Comparison
Which Type Is Right for You?
Choose hardneck if: You want the boldest flavor, you're in a cool climate, and you'll use your garlic within 6–8 months of harvest.
Choose softneck if: You want longer storage, you're in a warmer climate, or you want to make garlic braids.
Grow both if: You want variety — use your softnecks for long-term storage and enjoy the hardnecks fresh after harvest while the flavor is at its peak.
Ready to Choose Your Varieties?
All six Earthwise Garlic varieties are grown pesticide-free in Coburg, Oregon and available for preorder each year. Preorders ship in September at the ideal time for fall planting.
Related reading: — Best Garlic Varieties for Oregon Gardens — Where to Buy Garlic Seeds Without Pesticides — How to Plant Garlic for Bigger Bulbs
Questions about growing garlic? Please reach out -- we're happy to help.
Naturally bold. Distinctly Oregon.
Selected for bold flavor, strong performance, and reliable harvests.
Grown by hand in Oregon — no pesticides or herbicides.
Family-grown garlic from Coburg, Oregon — shipped nationwide to home gardeners.
Earthwise Garlic is located just north of Eugene in the fertile Willamette Valley —
the perfect place to grow bold, flavorful garlic trusted by gardeners nationwide.
