Description
Lorz Italian is an heirloom softneck with a long history in Italian-American growing traditions, and one of the best choices if you want garlic that stores well into the following season. Rustic, knobby bulbs with big, fat cloves that push out in every direction, flexible tops perfect for braiding, and a mild flavor that earns a permanent spot in any kitchen.
Flavor
Mild, slightly sweet, and clean. Lorz Italian has a gentle garlic flavor that works in any dish without overwhelming anything else on the plate. The flavor is well-rounded and lets your other ingredients do their part.
In the Kitchen
An excellent everyday cooking garlic for anywhere you want reliable flavor without heat. Particularly good in Italian-style cooking: pasta aglio e olio, focaccia, white beans, roasted vegetables. Its mild character also makes it a go-to for aioli, compound butter, and raw preparations. A versatile choice for family cooking.
Growing
Lorz Italian is a softneck artichoke variety that produces no scape and needs minimal attention. It is highly adaptable across climates, reliable in both warm (zones 7 to 9) and cool (zones 5 to 7) regions. Plant October to November, harvest June to July.
Storage and Braiding
Stores 6 to 9 months in a cool, dry, well-ventilated space. The soft, flexible tops stay pliable after curing, making Lorz Italian an excellent variety for traditional garlic braiding. Hang a braid in your kitchen and you will have fresh garlic within reach all season long.
Package Sizes
Lorz Italian runs about 55 cloves (roughly 5 bulbs) per pound. Approximate counts by size:
- 1/4 lb: ~14 cloves (~1.3 bulbs)
- 1/2 lb: ~28 cloves (~2.5 bulbs)
- 1 lb: ~55 cloves (~5 bulbs)
- 2 lb: ~110 cloves (~10 bulbs)
- 5 lb: ~275 cloves (~25 bulbs)
Counts are approximate and vary bulb to bulb, season to season. Use our Garlic Planting Calculator to estimate exactly how much you need.
Not sure if hardneck or softneck is the better fit for your garden? See our comparison of hardneck vs. softneck garlic.
How We Grow
Our farm is an ODA inspected and licensed nursery, inspected annually during the spring growth season. We feed our soil with OMRI-listed organic fertilizers including feather meal, rotate our crops every season, and have never applied synthetic pesticides or fertilizers to our land. Grown in Coburg, Oregon.
Ships nationwide in September for fall planting. Free shipping on orders $60+.
