Continental garlic is a hardneck, Porcelain variety with large with white, porcelain-like skin. The cloves inside may have purple streaks on their wrappers and are very large and easy to peel. One bulb typically has a small number of cloves, usually 2 to 5, but each is very large, plump, and easy to peel.

The flavour is a major reason for its popularity. When raw, it has a robust, intense, and hot taste. When cooked, the flavour becomes much milder, richer, and more complex. It’s a great choice for both home cooks and professional chefs.

To get the largest bulbs, it’s a good idea to cut off the flower stalk, known as a scape, after it starts to curl. This variety is adapted to thrive in colder, “continental” climates.

It stores well for 4-8 months.

15 bulbils per order.

Bulbils, also known as top sets, provide an economical and disease-resistant method for growing garlic. This approach not only helps prevent soil-borne diseases but also seems to enhance the vitality of garlic strains. It is a good idea to refresh or start hardneck garlic stock by growing new plants from bulbils.

Bulbils develop when the garlic scape, which is the stalk that emerges from the bulb, is allowed to mature. Although often called a “garlic flower,” the scape does not produce a true flower. Instead, like the cloves in a garlic bulb, bulbils enable vegetative propagation, producing clones of the parent plant.

The bulbil capsule, or umbel, can hold anywhere from a handful to several hundred bulbils, depending on the garlic variety and growing conditions.

Growing Continental Garlic from Bulbils

Preparing Bulbils: Store bulbils in a cool, dry place until planting. Use a breathable container like a paper bag to prevent moisture buildup.

Planting Bulbils- Timing: Plant bulbils in the fall, ideally 6-8 weeks before the first frost. This gives them time to establish roots before winter.

Soil Preparation: Choose well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Amend with compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil quality.

Planting Depth: Plant bulbils 1-2 inches deep.

Spacing: Plant bulbils 1-2 inches apart within the row. This close spacing allows them to develop into small bulbs or “rounds” during their first year.

Location: Select a sunny location with good air circulation.

Winter Care- Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch (like straw or leaves) to protect the bulbils from cold temperatures and to retain soil moisture.

First Growing Season- Growth: Over the first year, bulbils will form small bulbs or “rounds” rather than full-sized garlic bulbs.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Fertilizing: In early spring, apply a balanced fertilizer or compost to support growth. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.

Harvesting First-Year Rounds- Timing: Harvest the small bulbs or rounds at the end of the first growing season when the foliage starts to yellow and die back.

Curing: Cure the harvested rounds by hanging them in a dry, well-ventilated area for 2-4 weeks.

Second-Year Planting- Replanting: In the fall of the second year, replant the harvested rounds. Space them 4-6 inches apart in the row to give the developing bulbs adequate room.

Final Growth and Harvest- Growth: The rounds will develop into full-sized garlic bulbs during the second growing season.

Harvesting: Harvest in late summer or early fall when the lower leaves turn yellow and start to dry out.

Curing: Cure the bulbs by hanging them in a dry, well-ventilated area for 2-4 weeks.
Storage

Storage: Store cured bulbs in a cool, dry place. Use mesh bags or open containers to ensure good air circulation.

Tips- Patience: Growing garlic from bulbils is a long process and typically takes 2-3 years to produce full-sized bulbs.

Monitoring: Regularly check the plants and adjust care as needed.

These bulbils are sourced directly from Garden Faerie Botanicals, located in the heart of British Columbia, Canada. The collection includes heirloom and heritage varieties, all organically grown without chemicals.