Allium sativum 'German Extra Hardy'
vegetableGerman Extra Hardy is the gold-standard porcelain hardneck garlic for cold climates, with large bulbs holding 4 to 6 big easy-peel cloves under white wrappers tinged purple. The flavor is strongly pungent raw and sweetly mellow when roasted, with high sugar content, and the bulbs store easily for 6 months.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 5 days
Harvest
~240 days
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
Spacing
6 in in row, 12 in between rows
Planting Depth
2 in deep, point up
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Soil Type
Loose, rich
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 8
Grown as an annual. This range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
Side-dress in early spring when shoots emerge through mulch
Fertilizer
Balanced 10-10-10 or fish emulsion at 1 cup per 10 ft of row
Plant cloves in mid-autumn, 3 to 6 weeks before the ground freezes, so cloves can vernalize over winter to form proper bulbs. Set cloves 2 in deep, point up, 6 in apart in rows 12 in apart. Mulch heavily with straw after planting. Cut off the curling scape in early summer to direct energy into the bulb; the scapes are excellent stir-fried. Harvest when the lower 4 to 6 leaves yellow, typically in July.
Direct sow
Oct 15
Projected first harvest
Jun 12
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Rotate alliums out of the bed for 3 years; use floating row cover at planting
Plant only certified clean cloves; never replant in a bed where white rot has appeared
Cover with row cover from planting through mid-spring
Encourage minute pirate bugs and lacewings; spray insecticidal soap if populations build
German Extra Hardy is ready in July when the lower 4 to 6 leaves brown. Loosen with a digging fork and lift gently; do not pull by the stem. Cure in a shaded airy spot for 3 to 4 weeks until the necks are dry and papery. Store at 50 to 60F; the variety keeps reliably for 6 months. The big cloves are exceptional for roasting whole.
About 149 calories per 100 g raw with 2.1 g fiber, 31 mg vitamin C, 401 mg potassium, and high levels of manganese, selenium, and allicin. The large clove size and high sugar content make German Extra Hardy especially good for slow-roasted garlic spreads.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.