Our Seed Story
Our garlic journey began in 2007, when we launched Restoration Farm at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration, an outdoor museum of 19th century buildings. While most of our fields are clustered at the far end of the property, several parcels are situated in the middle of the museum, creating a conundrum. How would be utilize these fields without disturbing the 19th century ambiance? Our 21st century operation, after all, relies on modern tools and equipment. Garlic, it turns out, was the answer. With enough mulch, garlic is a low-maintenance crop that doesn't require irrigation or weeding. Aside from planting and harvest, it essentially takes care of itself! Which is to say, it was a natural fit for these fields.
Once we started planting garlic, we found it hard to stop. In fact, over the years we adopted the motto:
When in doubt, plant garlic.
We've been saving our own seed since 2007 because garlic, like wine, reflects its terrior. Before long, customers were seeking out our garlic not just for eating, but for seed as well. So in 2019 we began the process of expanding our seed supply to meet the growing demand. Now we are proud to offer Long Island and NYC area growers with carefully selected, regionally adapted seed garlic that will absolutely knock your socks off!
• Hardneck porcelain—"Music"
•Average bulb size: 2.5"
•Average number of cloves/seed
per pound: 26.7
•2021 field samples tested negative
for bloat nematode, white rot,
botrytis, & fusarium by Michigan
State University
• Whatever you don't plant,
you can eat!
About Our Seed
Now Available at the Farm Stand
Home gardener bags
1.5 lbs • $30
average 40 cloves/bag
Garlic Growing Tips
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Prepare your site (Sept/Oct)—remove any perennial weeds & apply 1-2" compost
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Plant (late-Oct/early-Nov)—plant individual cloves, pointy side up, 6-8" apart
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Cover with 3-6" mulch (Nov/Dec)—leaves & straw are good options
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Pull weeds, if present (Apr-Jun)
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Remove flower stalk/scape when it curls 180° (June)—this redirects energy from the flower to the bulb; the scape is edible
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Harvest (late-Jun/early-mid July)