Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about ordering, shipping, growing, and storing garlic from Earthwise Garlic in Coburg, Oregon.

Ordering and Shipping

When does seed garlic ship?
All orders ship in September, timed for fall planting season. This is when garlic is fully cured and ready to go in the ground. We ship via USPS Priority Mail or UPS.

Do you offer free shipping?
Yes. Free shipping on all orders $60 or more.

Do you ship to California, Washington, or Idaho?
We do not ship to California or Washington due to state agricultural import restrictions on garlic. We ship to most Idaho addresses, but 20 Idaho counties have plant quarantine restrictions on allium bulbs. See our Idaho shipping page to check if your county is affected.

Can I place a preorder?
Yes. We accept preorders each spring for September shipment. Ordering early is the best way to secure the varieties you want, since some sell out before shipping season.

What if a variety sells out?
Once a variety is sold out for the season it won't be restocked until the following year. We plant what we grow and grow what we ship.

About Our Garlic

Is your garlic organic?
We farm organically. That means certified organic inputs, no synthetic pesticides, no synthetic fertilizers, biological pest management, and crop rotation every season. We are not USDA certified organic, but our farm is an ODA inspected and licensed nursery, inspected annually during the spring growth season. Read our full explanation here.

Has your garlic been treated with sprout inhibitors or fungicides?
No. Our garlic is harvested, cured, and shipped without any chemical treatments. No sprout inhibitors, no fungicide coatings, no bleaching or washing. What comes off our farm goes straight to your garden.

Where is your garlic grown?
All of our garlic is grown on our family farm in Coburg, Oregon, in the Willamette Valley.

What varieties do you grow?
We grow six heirloom varieties: Music (Porcelain hardneck), Ukrainian Red (Rocambole hardneck), Georgian Fire (Porcelain hardneck), Donostia Red (Creole hardneck), Inchelium Red (Artichoke softneck), and Lorz Italian (Artichoke softneck). See full variety descriptions.

Growing Garlic

When should I plant garlic?
In most of the U.S., plant garlic between mid-October and mid-November. In the Pacific Northwest, late October through early November is ideal. See our full planting timing guide by zone and region.

What's the difference between hardneck and softneck garlic?
Hardneck garlic has bolder, more complex flavor and larger cloves, but stores 4 to 8 months. Softneck garlic is milder, stores longer (6 to 12 months), and is ideal for braiding. See our full comparison guide.

Which variety should I start with?
Music is our most popular variety and the one we recommend to first-time growers. Large cloves, reliable yields, great all-purpose flavor. If you want something milder with longer storage, start with Inchelium Red.

Can I grow garlic in a warm climate?
Yes, with some adjustments. Softneck varieties like Inchelium Red and Lorz Italian handle warm winters better than hardnecks. In zones 8 and above, refrigerating your seed garlic for 6 to 8 weeks before planting helps simulate the cold period garlic needs to form bulbs. Read our vernalization guide.

When do I harvest garlic?
Harvest when roughly half the leaves have browned from the bottom and half are still green, typically July in most U.S. regions. In Oregon, timing varies by region. See our Oregon harvest timing guide.

Storing Garlic

How long does seed garlic store before planting?
Properly cured seed garlic stores well through the summer and fall. Keep it in a cool, dry, well-ventilated space out of direct sun. Do not refrigerate since cold and humidity cause premature sprouting.

How long does harvested garlic store?
Hardneck varieties store 4 to 8 months. Softneck varieties store 6 to 12 months. Donostia Red is unusual among hardnecks in storing 9 to 10 months. Storage life depends on proper curing and conditions.

Should I refrigerate garlic?
No. Store whole heads in a cool (55 to 65 degrees F), dry, well-ventilated spot. A mesh bag, wire basket, or open bowl works well. Refrigeration triggers sprouting.

Wholesale and Other Questions

Do you offer wholesale?
Yes. We supply select Oregon garden centers and nurseries. For wholesale inquiries, contact us directly.

I have a question that isn't answered here.
Reach us at lucie@earthwisegarlic.com or (541) 606-6929. We're happy to help.