Seed garlic & bulbils

Seed garlic for prairie gardens

Kipp Garlic has been growing garlic on Alberta soil since the fall of 2020, and we'd like to share what we've learned. Pre-order hardneck seed garlic for this fall before selection is limited.

Shop seed garlic How much do I need?

Russian Red garlic has proven to thrive in Alberta conditions thanks to its hardy nature and its ability to adjust to harsh conditions. It’s best planted about 5–6 inches apart in early October; the cloves go dormant through the winter before sprouting in spring.

Ordering more than 100 pounds of seed garlic? Contact us for discounts and advice throughout your growing process.

A pile of harvested Russian Red hardneck garlic

Seed calculator

How much seed garlic do I need?

Our rule of thumb: about 10 lbs of seed cloves plants roughly 175 square feet, with cloves 5–6" apart in rows 12" apart. Treat the result as an estimate; clove counts vary with bulb size.

Planting guide

Planting hardneck garlic in Southern Alberta

Prepare. Separate bulbs into individual cloves, leaving the peels on.
Space. Run a string for straight rows. Cloves 5–6" apart, rows 12" apart.
Depth. Plant each clove about 4" deep, then mulch with straw or wood to protect against freeze and thaw.
Timing. Plant in early October so roots can establish before winter. Other parts of Canada may need earlier or later planting.
Soil. Well-drained, well-composted soil works best. Garlic doesn't like wet feet: plant in a dry spot and irrigate as needed.
Bulbils. Bulbils can be planted 4–5" apart in the fall or between April and June, and grow into full-size bulbs over two seasons.

Read the guide