Garlic 'Russian Red' (3 bulbs)
It produces large, flavourful bulbs that store well for a long time after harvest. This hardy variety is perfectly adapted to northern climates and offers excellent productivity.
‘Russian Red’ Garlic (Allium sativum) is a hardy and productive variety that is particularly well suited to northern vegetable gardens. It forms large bulbs composed of plump, pink-skinned cloves valued for their rich, slightly spicy flavour. When cooked, its flavour becomes milder while retaining a pleasant intensity, making it ideal for enhancing a wide variety of dishes. Its upright, blue-green foliage reaches approximately 45 cm in height before turning yellow as harvest approaches. Hardy to Zone 2, this garlic withstands Quebec winters remarkably well and produces bulbs that can be stored for several months.
Plant the cloves in fall or very early spring with the pointed end facing upward, approximately 5 cm deep and spaced 10 to 15 cm apart. Choose a location in full sun with light, loose, fertile, and perfectly drained soil. Adding well-decomposed compost before planting improves soil structure and encourages bulb development, while excessive nitrogen mainly promotes foliage growth. Water regularly but moderately during active growth, then reduce watering as the bulbs mature. Weed carefully to limit competition.
‘Russian Red’ garlic is naturally suited to family vegetable gardens, edible flower beds, food gardens, and large growing containers. It grows well alongside strawberries, carrots, beets, lettuce, and tomatoes while helping deter certain pests. The flower scapes can be removed to encourage larger bulb development, although any flowers allowed to bloom may attract pollinating insects. Harvest when approximately half of the foliage has turned yellow, then allow the bulbs to cure in a dry, well-ventilated location. Delicious when roasted, it is also ideal for sauces, marinades, soups, grilled dishes, and stews.
