Heat-tolerant garlic for southern growers
Garlic does grow in the South. The trick is the right type and the right timing. These are the heat-tolerant varieties we grow, the ones that size up without the long, hard winter that hardneck garlic needs, grown certified organic at 3,300 ft on the volcanic ground of California's Fall River Valley and shipped in time for your fall planting.
USDA Organic • CCOF Certified • Real Organic Project
Softneck varieties for warm climates
Heat-tolerant garlic that tolerates warm winters and does not need a hard freeze to bulb. Open a variety to choose your size and pre-order.
The right type makes the difference
Most of the trouble southern growers run into with garlic comes down to one choice: the type they plant. Hardneck garlic needs a sustained, genuinely cold winter to form a proper bulb. In warm southern zones it rarely gets that, so it tends to make small heads or none at all. Softneck Artichoke types do not need that long cold winter. They size up anyway, which is exactly why they are the dependable choice through roughly zones 7 to 9.
This is not just our experience. Southern university extension programs point growers to softneck Artichoke garlic for warm climates, and we have linked a couple of those reads in the questions below. Most of the varieties we grow for the South are Artichoke softnecks, the same certified organic seed stock we raise on volcanic ground, chosen because they actually perform where summers come on early and winters stay mild.
There is one more heat-lover worth knowing. Thai Purple is a Turban-type garlic, and Turbans want very little winter cold and mature early, before the worst summer heat sets in, which makes them a natural fit for warm southern gardens. We only grow it in small amounts so far. We started with a single pound of seed and have been building our stock up ever since, so it sells out fast and we cannot offer it in bulk yet. If you see it listed in the shop above, it is worth grabbing while it lasts.
Plan your planting
Not sure your zone or how much seed your beds need? Two quick tools sort that out, and the pricing page lays out the bulk tiers.
Four things that make or break a southern crop
The right type
Start with softneck Artichoke garlic. It tolerates warm winters and does not need the hard freeze hardnecks require, so it is the reliable pick for the South.
The right timing
Plant in fall, once summer heat breaks and the soil cools, later than northern growers because your warm season runs long. Aim for a fall window, not spring.
Drainage and airflow
Humidity is the southern challenge. Raised beds and proper spacing keep roots out of soggy soil and let air move between plants, which holds rot and disease down.
A thick mulch
Lay 4 to 6 inches of straw or shredded leaves to keep the soil cooler and hold moisture, and to smother the weeds that would otherwise crowd young garlic.
Get those four right and softneck garlic does well in the South. Get them wrong and it struggles. There is no secret beyond reading your own ground and giving the plants what they need.
Growing garlic in the South: your questions
Common questions from southern gardeners, grouped by topic so you can find what you need.
Choosing a variety for hot climates
Can garlic really grow in the South?
Yes. It comes down to variety and timing. Softneck Artichoke types tolerate warm winters and grow well through roughly zones 7 to 9. Pick the right type, plant in fall on a southern schedule, and your garden can grow good garlic.
What are the most heat-tolerant garlic types?
Softneck Artichoke types are the dependable, plant-as-much-as-you-like choice for warm regions; they size up without the long cold spell hardnecks need. Turban types are heat-tolerant too and mature early, which is where our Thai Purple comes in, though we grow it in small amounts so far. Open the shop grid above to see what is available this season.
Can I grow hardneck garlic in the South?
Usually not well. Hardnecks need a sustained, genuinely cold winter to bulb properly, so in warm southern zones they tend to make small heads or split. Softneck Artichoke types are the reliable pick. Compare the two on our hardneck garlic page.
Are there university sources that back this up?
Yes. Southern extension programs recommend softneck garlic for warm climates. Two good reads are UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions on garlic (Florida) and the LSU AgCenter garlic page (Louisiana).
Which variety should a first-time southern grower start with?
Inchelium Red is a forgiving, widely adapted Artichoke softneck and a good first crop. It is mild, stores well, and is not fussy. Once you have a season behind you, branch out to the others in the lineup.
Planting in the South
When should I plant garlic in the South?
Plant in fall, once the worst of summer heat passes and the soil cools, roughly September into early winter depending on how far south you are. Southern planting runs later than the North because your fall stays warm longer.
Do I need to pre-chill my seed garlic before planting?
Our softneck Artichoke varieties do not need the long cold spell that hardnecks require, so there is no need to chill them in most of the South. Plant them in fall and let the cooler season do its work.
How deep and how far apart should I plant?
Set each clove pointy end up, about 2 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart, in a sunny spot with good drainage. Give the rows enough room that air can move between the plants once they fill in.
Should I use mulch in southern gardens?
Yes. A 4 to 6 inch layer of straw or shredded leaves keeps the soil cooler and holds moisture, which matters more in the South than the North. It also keeps weeds down while the garlic is still small.
Can I plant garlic in spring instead?
Fall planting is strongly preferred. Spring-planted garlic rarely gets the cool growing time it needs and usually makes small, single-round bulbs. If you miss the fall window, it is better to wait for the next one than to force a spring crop.
Growing and harvesting in heat and humidity
How do I handle high humidity?
Drainage and airflow are everything. Raised beds keep roots out of waterlogged soil, and proper spacing lets air move between plants, which cuts down on the rot and disease that humid climates invite.
How often should I water in southern heat?
Keep the soil evenly moist while the plants are growing, then ease off as harvest nears and stop a couple of weeks before you pull the bulbs so they cure well. Garlic does not like to sit wet, so water steadily but never waterlog.
When should I harvest garlic in the South?
Usually late spring, often May or June, before the worst summer heat. Watch the plant: when several of the lower leaves have browned and only a handful of green ones are left up top, it is time to dig.
Do these softneck varieties make scapes?
Generally no. Softneck garlic does not send up a true scape the way hardnecks do, so there is nothing to cut. Once in a while a stressed plant throws one; if it does, snip it so the plant puts its energy back into the bulb.
How do I cure it, and what is a realistic success rate?
Cure the bulbs in a dry, airy, shaded spot for a few weeks after harvest. As for success, there is no magic number. Get the variety, the fall timing, the drainage, and the mulch right and softneck garlic does well in the South. Get those wrong and it struggles.
Ordering and shipping
Do you ship to hot climate areas?
Yes, we ship nationwide. Seed garlic travels well in breathable packaging, and we include planting notes with your order. We do not ship temperature-controlled, so for warm-climate orders the timing of when you plant matters more than the shipping itself.
When do you ship, and when should I order?
Pre-orders open March 1. We harvest and cure through summer and start shipping in September, which gives you time to hold the seed somewhere cool and dry and plant once your fall arrives. Popular varieties sell out, so order early.
How should I store garlic in hot, humid conditions?
Keep cured bulbs somewhere dry and airy with a steady temperature; a spot with air conditioning or a fan helps in humid areas. Leave at least five papers on each bulb. Well-cured softneck garlic keeps for many months stored this way.
How much seed do I need, and is there a discount?
It depends on your bed size and spacing; our garlic planting calculator turns that into pounds. The per-pound price drops as the order size goes up, and first-time buyers save 5% with code welcometothefamily.
Do you help if I run into trouble?
Yes. We are a working family farm, not a faceless warehouse, and we are glad to answer questions about variety choice, timing, or anything that comes up during your season. Reach out by email or Facebook Messenger.