In Praise of Good Garlic; Book Bemoans Cheap Import From China

Vancouver Sun ^ | March 15, 2012 | Nathalie Atkinson

[nickcarraway]

Another article: Intimate look at all things garlic a treat to read

Primeau learned there that, just as in the manufacturing sector, the Chinese economic dragon nearly wiped out the North American garlic industry by dumping cheap garlic on the market.

The number of hectares planted in California dropped from 16,000 to 10,000 in the early 2000s. Canadian garlic farming, which was just beginning, was similarly hard hit.

[nickcarraway]

You can tell garlic is Chinese, because the root plate is removed.

[nickcarraway]

Ping

[An American in Turkiye]

Interesting...I took my sister and niece to San Fran today and we dined at The Stinking Rose. Great place to eat, but we reeked of garlic all day after....Any Bay FReepers eat there before? Parking is horrible....

[Vendome]

Been there and Gilroy is still the garlic capital of the world. Even if we only have 40 acres of garlic fields left.

[Daffynition]

When I shop for cooking, garlic bulbs....the choices are China...Mexico.....China...Mexico.....China...Mexico.....I hate that. Even Whole Foods garlic is mostly Chinese import.

If you live in a garlic growing region....I am jealous of you! We used to be able to buy a hardneck variety at a farmer’s market supplied by Mennonites. Alas, I don’t live near that town any longer and with the price of gasoline...I’m out of luck.

Anyone have a good online grower, that they have used successfully? I see there are tons of them; getting a recommendation would help a lot of *experimentation*. Thanks!

[FreedomPoster]

Any chance of getting a gardening group ping to the question posed in #6? Surely that group should be able to provide some insight.

[Vinnie]

In a simple moment, one local wife hands her Italian counterpart a gnarled stalk that grows wild in the forest of Appalachia, a culinary peace offering to help flavour her evening meal. The Italian doesn’t speak a word of English but accepts the precious cargo, inhales it and murmurs in wonder, “E aglio!” — it’s garlic.

The ramp?
Never tried one, have smelled them when tromping through the NC mountains.

I was watching a cooking show a few days ago and they were discussing cooking with ramps. Wow, they have gone Broadway.

[miss marmelstein]

I’m gonna have to get all my garlic at the Union Square market from now on. I had no idea that our garlic was mostly Chinese. The Chinese produce nothing but crap. Sorry to say it but it’s true. They have no pride in what they sell.

[Savage Beast]

Do you mean to tell me the California screwballs have even managed to saboutage the garlic industry?

You just can't save people from a deathwish.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

There was a story this past week about some hazard found in Chinese garlic, resulting in a large quantity being destroyed.
We raise our own. It’s easy to do.

[Daffynition]

That's a good idea! Why didn't *I* think of that?

[JustaDumbBlonde]

I'm pinging Mr. Bender, he is the only garlic grower I know and he may have some information that is useful to you.

[miss marmelstein]

Can you tell me when the proper time is to plant garlic - spring or fall? (I plant but mostly tomatoes, eggplant and herbs).

[Eric in the Ozarks]

In NY State, plant right now for fall harvest.

In the south, plant in the fall for harvest in the spring.
Plant pointy side up, four-five inches apart.

[RegulatorCountry]

“E aglio"

Naw, honey, them's ramps.

Y'all be careful, they'll knock your socks off.

[miss marmelstein]

Thanks for the garlic advice!!

[denimnlace]

bravo, and I was also going to mention, gilroy is still the place to go (or order online) for true garlic we remember cooking with b4 the chinoise takeover.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

If you Google “garlic,” I’m sure you’ll find 100s of tips on where to buy stock and how to grow your own (garlic, that is.)
Farmers’ markets are a good place to find local connections. Their product is fresher and less likely to have issues. You can grow a year’s supply in a very small plot.

[miss marmelstein]

I live next door to a large gourmet market that probably sells garlic bulbs. I just need a place to plant them - after I find out the kind of soil they like and the amount of sun. Until they come up, I’ll try and purchase from local markets in NYC.

Thanks for your tips!