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Basaltic Farms
Chesnok Red Garlic
Chesnok Red Garlic
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Ships Mon - Friday
Grown at Basaltic Farms in rich volcanic soil, Chesnok Red is a premium hardneck garlic variety bred for performance, flavor, and versatility. Perfect for planting or cooking, this certified organic garlic is a must-have for serious growers, chefs, and health-conscious home cooks looking to buy garlic they can trust.
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🌟 Product Highlights
Here's what makes Chesnok Red Garlic from Basaltic Farms special. From organic certification to bold flavor and reliable growth, these highlights cover everything you need to know.
- ✅ Certified Organic – CCOF & USDA Certified
- 🧄 Hardneck Garlic – Bold flavor with easy-to-peel cloves
- 🎨 Purple Stripe Variety – Known for its rich taste and beautiful color
- 🌿 Produces Garlic Scapes – Harvest early for edible shoots
- 🌱 Non-GMO – Naturally grown and untreated for planting
- 📦 Bulbs – 1.5"–2.5" diameter with 8–10 cloves per bulb
- 🌾 USDA Zones 3–9 – Especially ideal in northern climates, excellent cold tolerance
- 🧊 Storage Life – 4–6 months in a cool, dry, dark place
- 🔁 Dual Purpose – Excellent for planting or culinary use
- 🕒 Limited Stock – Ships starting mid-August, preorder recommended
🎯 Perfect for These Uses
- 🏠 Home Gardeners: Easy to grow in cold climates, produces edible scapes, excellent flavor
- 👨🍳 Northern Chefs: Bold Georgian flavor, perfectly roasted, adds umami depth
- 🌾 Cold Climate Growers: Excellent cold tolerance, ideal for northern gardens
- 🎨 Craft & Decor: Beautiful purple-striped bulb scapes for arrangements
- 🏛️ Heritage Gardeners: Preserve ancient Georgian heirloom variety
- ❄️ Northern Gardeners: Thrives where softneck varieties fail
- 🍲 Eastern European Cooking: Traditional in Georgian, Russian, and Eastern European cuisine
📦 How Much Garlic Should I Order?
Not sure how much garlic to order? Whether you're planting a few beds or prepping meals for the season, our Guide helps you choose the right amount.
- 🌱 1/2 lb – Great for raised beds or weekly meal prep (about 4–6 bulbs)
- 🌾 1 lb – Perfect for planting rows or bulk kitchen use (about 8–12 bulbs)
- 🏆 2 lbs – Ideal for large gardens or serious cooking (about 16–24 bulbs)
Bulb count varies by seasonal size and growing conditions.
Expected Yield: 1 lb of seed garlic gives you about 5–8 lbs of Harvest under good conditions. Each plant typically produces one bulb weighing 2–4 oz.
💰 Bulk Pricing & Ordering
Bulk Garlic Orders: Call us at (530) 238-5357
- 💰 5–9 lbs: Save $0.50 per lb
- 🏪 10–24 lbs: Save $1.00 per lb
- 🌽 25–59 lbs: Save $1.50 per lb
- 🚜 60–99 lbs: Save $2.00 per lb
- 🏭 100+ lbs: Save $2.50 per lb
- ☎️ Commercial quantities: Call for custom pricing
📦 Shipping & Availability
- 🚢 Orders ship starting mid-August; in the order we get them
- ⏰ Limited seasonal stock – preorder recommended
- 📅 Pre-order deadline: August 15th for guaranteed availability
- 📦 Most ship via USPS; bulk orders via FedEx when needed
- 📧 You'll get confirmation and tracking when shipped
- 💰 Bulk orders (25+ lbs): Call for wholesale pricing and shipping options
- 📬 Note: Please confirm your shipping address to avoid extra fees
- 🔄 Substitution Policy: If sold out, we may substitute with a similar hard neck variety (with your permission)
- 🏠 Minimum Orders: No minimum for retail, 25 lb minimum for wholesale pricing
🧬 About This Chesnok Red Garlic
Chesnok Red is also called Shvelisi. It's an heirloom hardneck garlic from the Republic of Georgia. We grow it on our certified organic California farm. People love it for its bold flavor, beautiful color, and strong planting performance.
Key Details:
- 🌱 Species: Allium sativum
- 🧄 Type: Edible, heirloom hard neck
- 🎨 Class: Purple Stripe group
- 🌿 Scapes: Yes — produces edible garlic scapes
- 🌸 Family: Asparagales, Amaryllidaceae
- 🏷️ Variety Name: Shvelisi (Chesnok Red)
- 🌍 Origin: Republic of Georgia
👩🍳 Taste and Cooking
Chesnok Red is a chef's favorite for its sweet, rich flavor — especially when roasted. This organic heirloom garlic brings a bold taste to any dish.
Cooking Info:
- 🔥 Best Uses: Roasted, sautéed, raw, pickled, fermented
- 👅 Flavor: Savory, spicy, pungent, umami; mellow when roasted
- 🌶️ Raw vs. Cooked: More pungent raw, develops sweet complexity when roasted
- 🧊 Shelf Life: 4–6 months for cooking
- 🌿 Scapes: Mild garlic flavor — great for pestos and sautés
- ⭐ Special Quality: Bold flavor that stands up well in cooking
- 🍽️ Use: Dual-purpose — ideal for both culinary and planting
- 📦 Storage Notes: 3–6 months in cool, dry, dark space for planting
🍲 Traditional Georgian Recipe Ideas
- 🧄 Georgian Khachapuri: Cheese-filled bread with roasted Chesnok Red garlic
- 🍆 Badrijani (Eggplant Rolls): Stuffed with walnut-garlic paste using Chesnok Red
- 🔥 Roasted Garlic: Develops sweet, mellow complexity perfect for spreading
- 🌿 Garlic Scapes Pesto: Use the flower stalks for early-season garlic flavor
- 🫒 Georgian Garlic Oil: Infuse olive oil with roasted Chesnok Red
- 🥒 Pickled Garlic: Traditional preservation method for winter storage
🍷 Perfect Pairings
- 🍇 Georgian Wines: Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane
- 🧀 Cheese: Georgian Sulguni, aged Cheddar, Goat cheese
- 🌿 Herbs: Cilantro, Dill, Parsley, Tarragon
- 🥩 Proteins: Lamb, Beef, Game meats, Hearty stews
🌱 How to Grow Chesnok Red Garlic
Chesnok Red loves full sun and soil that drains well. We grow it using organic farming methods without synthetic chemicals. Keeping the soil healthy and supporting wildlife. Whether you're new to learning how to grow garlic or experienced, Chesnok Red is a great choice for reliable results in USDA Zones 3–9.
Growing Guide:
- 🏡 Best For: Outdoor planting
- ☀️ Sunlight: Full sun
- 🗺️ Zones: USDA 3–9 (excellent cold tolerance, poor heat tolerance)
- 🌡️ Soil Temp: 50–60°F (10–15°C)
- 🌡️ Growing Temps: Vegetative phase 45–70°F (7–21°C), Bulbing phase 75–80°F (24–27°C)
- ⚠️ Temperature Notes: Needs cold early on and moderate spring temps to size up. Heat too early can stop vegetative growth too soon
- 🪴 Soil Type: Loamy, neutral to slightly acidic pH
- ⏳ Days to Maturity: 240–270 days
- 🧄 Garlic Type: Hardneck, produces scapes
- 🌰 Cloves per Bulb: 8–10
- 📏 Bulb Size: 2.0"–2.5" diameter or Large to Jumbo
- ⚖️ Seed Count: About 4–6 bulbs per lb (40–60 cloves)
- 📐 Spacing: 4–6 inches between cloves
- 💧 Watering: Moderate
- 🌱 Good Companions: Beets, carrots, lettuce, tomatoes
- 🌿 Fertilizer: Benefits from balanced organic fertilizer (10-10-10) at planting and side-dressing mid-season
- 💧 Container Growing: Possible in pots 12+ inches deep and 8+ inches wide (1 clove per pot)
- 🛡️ Disease Resistance: Good resistance to common garlic diseases when grown in well-draining soil
📅 Zone-Specific Planting Windows
- Zones 3–5: Early September – Early October
- Zones 6–7: Mid-September – Mid-October
- Zone 8: Mid-October – Early November (chilling recommended)
Note: Requires strong vernalization. In Zone 8, chill cloves for 8+ weeks before planting.
💡 Growing Tips for Success
- Vernalization Critical: This variety absolutely requires strong vernalization (cold treatment). Without adequate cold exposure, bulbs will not form properly.
- Zone 8 Growers: Pre-chill cloves for 8+ weeks at 32–40°F before planting to ensure proper bulb development.
- Heat Sensitivity: Poor heat tolerance means this variety struggles in hot climates. Plant timing is crucial to avoid early heat exposure.
🚨 Common Growing Problems & Solutions
- 🔸 Small Bulbs/No Bulb Formation:
- ❌ Cause: Insufficient vernalization or planted too late
- ✅ Solution: Ensure 8+ weeks of cold exposure, plant by zone deadlines
- 🔸 Premature Sprouting:
- ❌ Cause: Storage too warm or humid
- ✅ Solution: Store at 32–40°F with good air circulation
- 🔸 White Rot/Bulb Rot:
- ❌ Cause: Poor drainage, overwatering
- ✅ Solution: Improve soil drainage, reduce watering frequency
- 🔸 Rust on Leaves:
- ❌ Cause: High humidity, poor air circulation
- ✅ Solution: Space plants properly, avoid overhead watering
📅 Monthly Growing Calendar
- 🍂 September-October: Plant cloves, apply mulch
- ❄️ November-February: Dormant period, maintain mulch
- 🌱 March-April: Spring emergence, side-dress fertilizer
- 🌿 May-June: Scape formation, cut scapes for cooking
- ☀️ July-August: Bulb maturation, reduce watering, Harvest
🧮 Planning Garlic for Large Areas
If you're planting garlic across a big area, you'll need more than just a few bulbs. Here's how much seed garlic you'll need for different garden sizes:
- 🌱 1/4 acre: About 250 lbs of seed garlic
- 🌾 1/2 acre: About 500 lbs
- 🚜 1 acre: About 1000 lbs
Based on 2–6 inch spacing.
🚜 Harvesting and Storage
Whether you're growing for your family table or selling at farmers' markets, here's what to know about harvesting and storing your Chesnok Red garlic for maximum flavor and shelf life.
Harvest Tips:
- 🌾 When: Late summer to early fall — once lower leaves brown and 5–6 green leaves remain
- 📏 Size Check: Bulbs reach 2.0–2.5 inches in diameter or Large to Jumbo size
- ✂️ How: Loosen soil gently with a fork; avoid pulling stems to reduce bruising
- 🧺 Curing: Hang or lay bulbs in a dry, shaded, well-aired space for 3–4 weeks
- 🧊 Storage: Store for 4–6 months (culinary use) in a cool (55–65°F), dark, dry space with 60–70% humidity
- 📦 Planting Storage: 3–6 months in cool, dry, dark space for seed purposes
Frequently Asked Questions
What growing zones work best for Chesnok Red garlic?
Can I grow this garlic in hot or southern climates like Texas or Florida?
Is garlic safe to eat as well as a plant?
What makes Basaltic Farms' organic garlic different?
When should I plant Chesnok Red garlic?
How can I find my growing zone?
How does Chesnok Red compare to other hardneck varieties?
What's the difference between seed garlic and culinary garlic?
What's our satisfaction guarantee?
How do you grow and process garlic at Basaltic Farms?
👩🌾 Why Choose Basaltic Farms' Chesnok Red Garlic?
At Basaltic Farms, we don't just grow garlic — we grow premium seed stock for passionate gardeners and growers. As a certified organic garlic farm in California, we focus on producing nutrient-dense, high-performing garlic varieties like Chesnok Red.
- 🌱 Grown in volcanic soil for deep flavor and natural vigor
- 🧄 Heirloom Chesnok Red, prized for size, storage, and rich taste
- 🌾 Works reliably in USDA Zones 3–9
- 💼 Trusted by growers, chefs, and co-ops across the U.S.
- 💰 Wholesale & Bulk Options Available – Premium seed garlic at competitive prices
⭐ Basaltic Farms Chesnok Red Garlic Reviews
Here's what customers are saying about Chesnok Red Garlic from Basaltic Farms. From planting performance to flavor on the plate, real growers and home cooks alike love this variety.
Customer Reviews
Absolutely incredible! This stuff transforms every dish from basic to magical. The flavor is perfect - sharp and pungent when raw, sweet and nutty when cooked.
The versatility is unmatched, and the health benefits are a great bonus. Sure, it makes your breath smell, but that's a small price to pay for such culinary perfection.
10/10 would recommend to anyone who enjoys food that actually tastes good!
Super friendly people amazing quality garlic. 10/10 would recommend.
💪 Health Benefits of Chesnok Red Garlic
Chesnok Red isn't just flavorful — it's good for you. As one of nature's most potent health foods, garlic offers many benefits. The health benefits of garlic are well-documented across many cultures and supported by modern research.
- 🧬 Rich in Allicin – A natural compound with antibacterial and antifungal properties
- ❤️ Supports Heart Health – May help reduce blood pressure and support healthy cholesterol
- 🛡️ Boosts Immunity – Contains antioxidants that protect cells and enhance immune function
- 🌿 Anti-inflammatory – Traditionally used to ease inflammation and support wellness
- 🧠 Brain Support – Some studies suggest garlic may help protect against age-related cognitive decline
Note: The FDA has not evaluated these statements. Garlic is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
🧄 Nutrition Facts (Per Clove: 2–3g)
Chesnok Red Garlic is packed with allicin, antioxidants, manganese, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. This hardneck variety supports immune health, reduces inflammation, and promotes heart health while delivering bold, savory flavor.
📋 Quick Reference Guide
Planting Checklist:
- ✅ Order by August 15th for guaranteed availability
- ✅ Plant 4–6 weeks before first hard frost (varies by zone)
- ✅ Ensure well-draining soil with pH 6.0–7.0
- ✅ Add compost or aged manure before planting
- ✅ Pre-chill cloves 8+ weeks if in Zone 8
- ✅ Plant cloves 2–3 inches deep, pointed end up
- ✅ Space 4–6 inches apart in rows
- ✅ Apply mulch after planting for winter protection
Growing Season Care:
- ✅ Side-dress with balanced fertilizer in early spring
- ✅ Maintain consistent moisture (but not soggy)
- ✅ Hand weed regularly to avoid competition
- ✅ Cut scapes when they appear (save for cooking!)
- ✅ Watch for disease signs and remove affected plants
- ✅ Stop watering 2–3 weeks before Harvest
Harvest & Storage:
- ✅ Harvest when lower leaves brown (usually late summer)
- ✅ Cure in dry, airy space for 3–4 weeks
- ✅ Store in cool (55–65°F), dry, dark conditions
- ✅ Check periodically and use sprouting bulbs first
- ✅ Properly stored garlic lasts 4–6 months