Certified Organic Garlic*

At Indian Creek Orchard Garden we are obsessed with garlic. Garlic is our single largest crop (not counting fruit). We rent 3 acres of land from a local organic grower, specifically to grow some of the healthiest, heirloom garlic available anywhere. Consistent with how we grow everything at Indian Creek Orchard Gardens, there are no  chemical pesticides or fertilizers used on our garlic crop (or anywhere else). Our garlic is 100% naturally grown using artisanal, organic growing methods.

Garlic is a hungry crop. The soil our garlic is grown in is amended with tons (literally!) of organic matter, local manure, bone meal and incorporated cover crops. We mulch our garlic beds with local certified organic oat straw from a neighbouring farm. This mulch insulates our garlic, buffering it from harsh Canadian winters. In the spring it also helps to suppress weed growth, retain moisture and moderate temperature fluctuations in the soil. After harvest, the certified organic straw is incorporated into the soil to provide organic matter for the next crop to feed on. Usually this is a nitrogen fixing cover crop like vetch, clover or peas.  We move our garlic patch every year (partitioning it with time) so that pest populations and disease do not accumulate or get out of control. We also grow a cover crop of mustards in our rotation to act as a bio fumigant, knocking back disease spores in our soil.

When we set out to grow garlic years ago, we sought out bespoke heirloom varieties that are unique in flavour, colour and size. We have curated a unique gourmet palette of garlic that will help any chef bring his dish to life. In mid July, when our garlic is harvested, we grade according to bulb size. The largest bulbs are reserved as seed for the following season. What isn’t used as seed is cured and either wrapped into braids or or trimmed and sold by weight for culinary use.

* Our garlic crop is certified organic by Pro-Cert Organic Systems.

Porcelain garlic varieties

Fish Lake 3 (Very strong)
Hardneck Garlic, Porcelain
Sold out for 2024

The premier and best known variety from the legendary garlic breeder Ted Maczka. One of our earlier varieties, this variety is stronger and larger than most porcelains. The white bulbs have 5 to 6 cloves and the clove wrappers are purplish pink.

Ivan (Strong)
Hardneck Garlic, Porcelain
Limited quantities available at our farm stand

Don’t believe all the tall tales you hear about this one. This variety was cultivated in BC for years by a fellow named Ivan. One year he sold some of his surplus and the “Ivan” variety was born. When asked what it was called before it became famous, Ivan said “We called it garlic” So anyone who tells you it came from Mennonites or the old country is feeding you a story, lol. Its a lovely medium hot porcelain with 4-6 large cloves that stores extremely well.

Northumberland
(Strongest variety we grow)
Hardneck Garlic, Porcelain
Limited quantities available at our farm stand

We’ve never seen garlic this size before. We almost mistook it as elephant garlic. It is the hottest variety that we grow. It has 4 large easy to peel cloves. This is the real McCoy folks.

Music (Mild-Medium)
Hardneck Garlic, Porcelain
Sold out for 2024

The ubiquitous porcelain variety, uber popular, easy to grow, good storage qualities, 4-6 cloves/bulb, very pleasant tasting raw or cooked.