Customer Reviews

Growing Great Garlic: The Definitive Guide for Organic Gardeners and Small Farmers

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Most gardeners don't think of growing garlic, because it is so plentiful and inexpensive at the local grocery store. The problem is that there is only one kind of garlic available at most grocery stores and markets, and that limits variety to be sure! There are over 72 different cultivated varieties of garlic! Each variety has its own distinct aroma, flavor, and level of spicyness. There are even hot garlics! Elephant garlic isn't a true garlic, so it doesn't count.

This book is an indispensible introduction to, and guide for growing garlic, and it even has some places listed where you can get the different cultivars of garlic.

The book is arranged into 3 parts. The introduction deals with the natural history of garlic. The second part deals with the different varieties, and the difference between the hardneck and softnect varieties. It also deals with the history of cultivated garlic. Examples of different garlic include Korean Red, which is a hot garlic, Spanish Roja, Polish, German Red, Inchilium Purple, Silver Skin(the variety usually found in stores), Montana Giant, etc. Each one has its own characteristics and each one has different storage time, growing time, and harvest time.

The third part deals with the cultivation techniques and gardening techniques associated with growing great garlic.
The author has gone to great pains to explain in detail the different methods used in growing garlic, from a commercial scale to the individual organic farmer to the individual home gardener. It is extremely helpful to the garlic novice, that is for sure.

I have used the methods outlined in this book, and in 1999, I liked this book so much that I ended up finding an organic garlic grower in Texas, and got 7 varieties of garlic and started them in a raised garden in October of 1999. In just 8 months I had my first harvest, and it was really cool to grow such distinct garlic in my own garden. This stuff is also expensive, the rare garlics, so it is advantageous to grow your own.

This book is softcover, 229 pages.
I highly recommend it to the home gardener who wants to try something new and delightful.

Garlic is not just what you find in the supermarket. And once you begin to realize the enormous variety available, you, too, will want to have that sensational patch in your back yard. This book is the "how to and what is" bible for garlic growers everywhere. Even we were able to grow good garlic thanks to all of the guidance from Filaree Farm. Get this book now. You have until fall 1999 to prepare your garden for growing garlic. And while you are doing all of the planning, be sure to place your order with Filaree for garlic "seed" they will be harvesting late this summer. Just remember, though---the lusty, mouthwatering descriptions prove to be irresistable. Just because Filaree offers more than 450 varieties does not mean that you have to plant all of them, even though you will want too. Be prudent!

And, if you love garlic the way we love garlic, you will also want to order a dozen or so varieties just for eating! Start with Chesnok Red,a purple stripe hardneck garlic that is absolutely sensational when it is roasted.

Linda & Fred Griffith, authors of "Garlic, Garlic, Garlic"

If you only own one book on growing garlic--this is the one. From the history and enzyme groups of garlic to "how to properly clean and store" it, ron covers it all. The Bibile for garlic growers. Get the suppliment from FillareeFarms.com to get the most up-to-date expert information on this wonderful fun food.

If you finish this book, unless you're already a garlic farmer, you'll have been endowed with about 10 times the amount of information that you'll ever need. This book needs a major edit as the information is jumbled and unclear. I got the impression that the author definitely knows his stuff but was unable for some reason to convey it in any coherent way.

I read the book in its entirety and all I really wanted to know was WHEN to plant and harvest my garlic -- I THINK I know now but I had to go back and re-check what Engeland said on this topic. So, if you just want to know the simple things about growing garlic, just check the internet. This book would definitely be helpful if you were planning to grow garlic as a source of income.

Maybe a revised version will come out soon, which would surely be an improvement.

Ron's book very concisely, in lay terms, covers garlic in an entertaining, yet authoritative style. The book provides descriptions and illustrations of the varieties of garlic, then covers the art of planting, growing, harvesting, storing and marketing garlic. The book is appropriate for gardeners as well as small scale farmers. Ron has grown Okanogan County, WA gourmet garlic for 17 years. He approaches his craft with deliberate thoroughness to a degree found in few farmers who can also write well. Must reading for those who enjoy gardening and eating garlic. Hmmmm. Terry R. Graham, Washington State

I originally purchased this book to grow garlic for my own use and had such excellent results that I am now growing and selling several different types of garlic. At first the book seems to be redundant, but in practice it makes sense, since you can refer to the section that applies to stage of the growing cycle you are in at the time.

My only complaint is that sometimes the information is not completly clear and you may have more questions than answers. If you would like to see color photographs of almost all the planting stock available, with descriptions and characteristics, I would highly recommend "the Complete Book Of Garlic" by Ted Jordan Meredith.

I listen to YBYG on NPR and Mike McGrath is always touting growing garlic. So I found Gourmet Garlic Gardens and bought an assortment of their garlic. This book came for Christmas last year and though I had already planted my garlic, it gave me some good pointers for preparing for my next crop. I harvested almost all the garlic I planted and used this book to prepare the ground for my second crop. I have a VERY small garlic garden (under 50 sq ft) so some of the techniques they outline in the book won't work.

The history and outline of the varities of garlic is great. It's also important to know what sort of garlic grows best in your area. Most of the stuff you get in the supermarket is softneck garlic (that's all they grow in CA) while the garlic with the best flavor is the hardneck garlic.

Get this book, get some good garlic (it's more expensive but you only have to buy it once) and grow some great garlic!

This is the bible on the growing of garlic. It includes both highly technical and highly practical information.
(This is actually the fourth copy of this book that I have bought: one for myself about two years ago, and then other copies for garlic growing friends!)

I cannot comment on the end results yet, since harvest is still 10 months away. This book introduces the types of garlic and recommends several organic methods of soil preparation. The greatest revelation was when to plant. All the local home garden supply stores stock garlic for spring planting. The author recommends fall, something subsequently confirmed by a local commercial grower. Hopefully with the fertilizing and time of planting tips, my results won't be quite so dismal.

I learned more from a one-page document (How To Grow Garlic) offered by the folks at TheGarlicStore.com, or a similar document offered by the people at hoodrivergarlic.com, than I did from this convoluted mess. I'm sure the author is able to raise some fine garlic, but he should leave the teaching to someone else. I agree with some others that this book is full of negativity.
Save your money and use your favorite search engine to find all the info you'll need to "grow your own". I am now harvesting a crop of excellent garlic bulbs, but according to this author, my crop should have been a failure.