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Basaltic Farms
Music Garlic
Music Garlic
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Ships Monday through Friday
Cultivated at Basaltic Farms in nutrient-rich volcanic soil, Music represents one of the finest hardneck garlic varieties from Canada's heritage. Whether you're planning to grow your own or enhance your cooking, this certified organic garlic delivers exceptional quality for dedicated gardeners, professional chefs, and passionate home cooks seeking authentic Canadian heirloom garlic with remarkable flavor and oversized cloves.
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🌟 What Makes Music Garlic Special
Discover why Music Garlic from Basaltic Farms stands out. From its Canadian roots to massive cloves and impressive storage capabilities, here's everything that makes this variety remarkable.
- ✅ Certified Organic – CCOF & USDA Certified
- 🇨🇦 True Canadian Heritage – Descended from Al Music's original Italian stock
- 🧄 Hardneck Excellence – Robust flavor with incredibly easy-to-peel oversized cloves
- 🎨 Porcelain Classification – Striking white bulbs with purple accents, protective thick skins
- 🌿 Scape Production – Harvest tender shoots early for culinary use
- 🌱 Non-GMO Guarantee – Naturally cultivated heirloom variety
- 📦 Massive Cloves – 4–7 substantial cloves per bulb, effortless peeling
- 🌾 USDA Zones 3–8 – Outstanding cold resistance, highly sensitive to early warmth
- 🧊 Extended Storage – 4–6 months under proper conditions
- 🔁 Versatile Use – Outstanding for both growing and cooking
- 🏆 Research Proven – Top performer in Michigan State University yield studies
🎯 Ideal Applications
- 🏠 Home Gardeners: Straightforward cultivation, generates oversized cloves, excellent preservation
- 👨🍳 Culinary Professionals: Large cloves minimize preparation time and intense flavor profile
- 🌾 Northern Climate Growers: Exceptionally cold-resistant, perfect for harsh winter regions
- 🎨 Decorative Applications: Stunning white bulbs with purple highlights, distinctive spiral scapes
- 🏛️ Heritage Enthusiasts: Maintain Al Music's Italian-Canadian agricultural legacy
- ❄️ Zone 3-8 Gardeners: Flourishes in extremely cold environments
- 🍽️ Fine Cooking: Sophisticated flavor ranging from sharp raw to sweet roasted
📦 Determining Your Garlic Needs
Unsure about how much garlic to purchase? Whether you're establishing garden plots or building your gourmet cooking supply, our guide helps you select the appropriate quantity.
- 🌱 1/2 lb – Perfect for raised beds or regular cooking (approximately 2–4 bulbs)
- 🌾 1 lb – Excellent for garden rows or extensive cooking (approximately 6–8 bulbs)
- 🏆 2 lbs – Perfect for large gardens or commercial kitchen use (approximately 8–16 bulbs)
Bulb quantities vary based on seasonal growing conditions and individual bulb sizes.
Harvest Expectations: 1 lb of planting stock typically yields 8–12 lbs under optimal growing conditions. Individual plants usually produce single bulbs weighing 3–5 oz.
Calculations based on 4–6 inch plant spacing and typical clove size with 25–35 cloves per pound.
💰 Volume Pricing & Orders
Volume Garlic Orders: Contact us at (530) 238-5357
💰 Volume Discount Structure
- 💰 5–9 lbs: Reduce cost by $0.50 per lb
- 🏪 10–24 lbs: Reduce cost by $1.00 per lb
- 🌽 25–59 lbs: Reduce cost by $1.50 per lb
- 🚜 60–99 lbs: Reduce cost by $2.00 per lb
- 🏭 100+ lbs: Reduce cost by $2.50 per lb
- ☎️ Large commercial orders: Contact for specialized pricing
📦 Shipping & Stock Information
- 🚢 Orders dispatched beginning mid-August, processed in received order
- ⏰ Seasonal stock limitations – advance ordering recommended
- 📅 Advance order cutoff: August 15th for guaranteed product availability
- 📦 Standard shipping via USPS; volume orders via FedEx as required
- 📧 Confirmation and tracking details provided upon shipment
- 💰 Volume orders (25+ lbs): Contact for wholesale rates and shipping arrangements
- 📬 Important: Verify shipping address accuracy to prevent additional charges
- 🔄 Product Substitution: If unavailable, we may offer similar porcelain varieties (with your approval)
- 🏠 Order Requirements: No minimum for individual customers, 25 lb minimum for wholesale rates
🧬 Heritage & Background
Music Garlic carries an inspiring Canadian agricultural story. During the 1980s, Al Music, an Ontario tobacco farmer, returned from Italy with garlic bulbs and cultivated them on his property near Boston, Ontario. The results were so outstanding that by 1985, Al partnered with 12 fellow growers to establish the Ontario Garlic Growers Association, honoring the variety with his name. This Italian-Canadian heirloom became the cornerstone of Ontario's modern garlic production.
Essential Information:
- 🌱 Scientific Name: Allium sativum
- 🧄 Classification: Hardneck, porcelain category
- 🎨 Visual Characteristics: White bulbs featuring purple highlights, substantial protective coverings
- 🌿 Scape Development: Produces distinctive spiral scapes
- 🌸 Plant Family: Amaryllidaceae
- 🏷️ Variety Designation: Music (Al Music's Italian lineage)
- 🌍 Geographic Origin: Italy through Canada (Ontario)
- 📚 Historical Significance: Named honoring Al Music in 1985, Ontario Garlic Growers Association founding
👩🍳 Flavor Profile & Culinary Applications
Music garlic delivers a sophisticated flavor spectrum from sharp when fresh to sweet and fragrant when cooked. The substantial, easily peeled cloves contain significant allicin concentrations, providing both exceptional taste and notable health properties. The complex flavor profile includes subtle hints of black pepper and toasted nuts.
Culinary Details:
- 🔥 Primary Applications: Roasting, sautéing, fresh use, pickling, fermentation
- 👅 Taste Characteristics: Bold, full-bodied, sharp, smooth when roasted
- 🌶️ Intensity Level: Moderately hot with authentic garlic character, mellows beautifully through cooking
- 🧊 Storage Duration: 4–6 months for culinary purposes
- 🌿 Scape Utilization: Gentle garlic taste — excellent for pestos and sautés
- ⭐ Distinctive Qualities: Robust flavor that complements hearty dishes
- 🍽️ Application: Versatile — perfect for both cultivation and cooking
- 📦 Planting Storage: 3–6 months in cool, dry, dark conditions for seed purposes
🍲 Classic Canadian Culinary Ideas
- 🧄 Roasted Music Garlic: Complete heads roasted until golden and caramelized
- 🥩 Meat Marinades & Seasonings: Large cloves ideal for protein preparations
- 🌿 Scape Pesto: Utilizing the unique spiral scapes for early-season taste
- 🍲 Hearty Garlic Soups: Rich, comforting soups showcasing Music's complex flavor
- 🫒 Infused Garlic Oils: Strong flavor perfect for specialty oils
- 🥒 Preserved Garlic: Extended-storage variety excellent for preservation techniques
🍷 Complementary Pairings
- 🍇 Canadian Wine Selections: Icewine, Riesling, Cabernet Franc
- 🧀 Cheese Varieties: Mature Cheddar, Goat cheese, Brie
- 🌿 Herb Combinations: Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Oregano
- 🥩 Protein Matches: Beef, Lamb, Game meats, Substantial winter preparations
🌱 Cultivating Music Garlic
Music garlic demonstrates exceptional cold hardiness and prospers in northern environments. This porcelain variety favors cooler conditions and can struggle in warmer locations. We employ organic farming techniques that maintain soil health and encourage natural development. Whether you're beginning to learn how to grow garlic or have experience, Music represents an outstanding selection for cold-climate cultivation.
Cultivation Information:
- 🏡 Optimal Environment: Outdoor cultivation, outstanding for extremely cold regions
- ☀️ Light Requirements: Full sun exposure (6+ hours daily)
- 🗺️ Climate Zones: USDA 3–8 (outstanding cold resistance, limited heat tolerance)
- 🌡️ Soil Temperature: 50–60°F (10–15°C) optimal for planting
- 🌡️ Growth Temperatures: Vegetative stage 45–68°F (7–20°C), Bulb development 60–70°F (15–21°C)
- ⚠️ Heat Sensitivity: Extremely sensitive to early warmth. Best performance with extended, cool spring before bulb development starts
- 🪴 Soil Requirements: Well-draining, loamy, neutral to mildly acidic pH
- ⏳ Growing Period: 240–270 days
- 🧄 Garlic Category: Hardneck, develops scapes
- 🌰 Cloves Per Bulb: 4–7 (fewer but significantly larger cloves)
- 📏 Bulb Dimensions: 2.0–2.5 inches diameter
- ⚖️ Planting Density: Approximately 6–8 bulbs per lb (35–50 cloves per lb)
- 📐 Plant Spacing: 4–6 inches between individual cloves
- 💧 Water Requirements: Moderate, steady moisture
- 🌱 Compatible Plants: Beets, carrots, lettuce, tomatoes
- 🌿 Soil Enhancement: Benefits from abundant organic matter, compost, bone meal
- 💧 Container Cultivation: Feasible but not optimal (requires deep, wide containers)
- 🛡️ Disease Tolerance: Good resistance when cultivated in well-draining conditions
📅 Regional Planting Schedule
- Zones 3–5: Early September – Early October
- Zones 6–7: Mid-September – Mid-October
- Zone 8: Mid-October – Early November (8–10 weeks chilling advised)
Important: Unsuitable for zones 9+ without intensive chilling and risk of poor performance.
💡 Successful Cultivation Strategies
- Vernalization Essential: Music requires 1–2 months at temperatures below 40°F (4°C) to develop proper bulbs completely.
- Northern Climate Excellence: This variety thrives in regions with extended, cold winters and flourishes under snow coverage.
- Warm Climate Limitations: Unsuitable for zones 9+ even with chilling. Zone 8 requires 8–10 weeks of pre-chilling and may still perform poorly due to heat sensitivity.
- Scape Handling: Remove scapes when they develop to redirect energy toward bulb development or retain some for the distinctive spiral scape harvest.
🚨 Common Cultivation Issues & Remedies
- 🔸 Small Bulbs/Poor Development:
- ❌ Problem: Inadequate vernalization or excessively warm climate
- ✅ Resolution: Ensure sufficient cold exposure, select cooler growing locations
- 🔸 No Bulb Formation:
- ❌ Problem: Planted in a warm climate without pre-chilling
- ✅ Resolution: Pre-chill for 1–2 months in the refrigerator before planting
- 🔸 Early Sprouting:
- ❌ Problem: Storage too warm after Harvest
- ✅ Resolution: Store at 32–40°F with adequate air circulation
- 🔸 White Rot/Bulb Decay:
- ❌ Problem: Poor drainage, excessive watering
- ✅ Resolution: Improve soil drainage, reduce watering frequency
📅 Seasonal Growing Timeline
- 🍂 September: Plant cloves and apply substantial mulch for winter protection
- ❄️ October-February: Dormant stage under snow/mulch coverage
- 🌱 March-April: Spring emergence, side-dress with compost
- 🌿 May-June: Scape development, harvest scapes for cooking
- ☀️ July-August: Bulb maturation, reduced watering, harvest time
🧮 Large-Scale Planting Calculations
For garlic cultivation across larger areas, you'll need substantial quantities. Here's the required seed garlic for different plot 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.
🚜 Harvest & Preservation
Whether cultivating for family consumption or farmers market sales, here is essential Information for harvesting and storing your Music garlic to maximize flavor and extend shelf life.
Harvest Guidelines:
- 🌾 Timing: Mid to late summer when lower 4–5 leaves have dried
- 📏 Size Verification: Bulbs typically achieve 2.0–2.5 inches in diameter
- ⚖️ Weight Expectations: Individual bulbs often weigh 3–5 oz
- ✂️ Method: Gently loosen the soil with a shovel; prevent bulb damage
- 🧺 Curing Process: Hang or spread bulbs in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area for 2–3 weeks
- 🎨 Visual Characteristics: Thick, paper-like coverings tightly encase large cloves
- 🧊 Storage Conditions: Preserve 4–6 months in cool (55–65°F), dark, dry conditions with good airflow
- 📦 Planting Preservation: 3–6 months in cool, dry, dark space for seed stock
Common Questions & Answers
Which growing zones work best for Music Garlic?
Music performs optimally in USDA Zones 3–8. This variety demonstrates exceptional cold tolerance and thrives in regions with extended, frigid winters. It may struggle in warmer areas (Zone 8+) without adequate pre-chilling.
Can Music garlic grow in warm climates?
Music exhibits poor heat tolerance and extreme sensitivity to early warmth. Zone 8 requires 8–10 weeks of pre-chilling and may still underperform. Music is unsuitable for zones 9+, even with intensive chilling. For warm climates, we recommend softneck varieties like Inchelium Red or Sicilian Artichoke.
Is this garlic safe for both eating and planting?
Absolutely! Every bulb we ship meets certified organic and food-safety standards. Chefs value music garlic for its sophisticated flavor and large, easily peeled cloves. Many customers divide their orders between planting and culinary use for its outstanding cooking qualities.
What distinguishes Music garlic from other varieties?
Music produces remarkably large, easily peeled cloves (only 4–7 per bulb) with bold, rich flavor. It achieved the highest yields in Michigan State University research and demonstrates exceptional cold hardiness, making it ideal for northern climates where heat-sensitive varieties excel.
When should I plant Music garlic?
Plant during early fall, 6–8 weeks before ground freezing. Zones 3–5 plant early to mid-September; Zones 6–7 plant mid-September to early October. Music requires strong vernalization (cold treatment) for proper bulb development.
How does Music compare with other hardneck varieties?
Music is a porcelain type, producing fewer but significantly larger cloves than other hardnecks (4–7 vs 8–12). It's extremely cold and hardy but very heat-sensitive, making it perfect for northern climates. It produces the highest yields in university research.
Why are Music's cloves so much larger than other garlic?
Music produces only 4–7 cloves per bulb (vs 8–18 for other varieties), but each clove is substantially larger. This simplifies preparation work and provides more energy for strong winter survival and spring growth.
What's the history behind the name "Music"?
Music Garlic honors Al Music, an Ontario tobacco grower who brought the original Italian strain to Canada during the 1980s. In 1985, he and 12 other growers established the Ontario Garlic Growers Association and named the variety in his honor.
How long does Music garlic remain fresh?
Music preserves for 4–6 months when properly cured and stored. While not the longest-storing variety, its exceptional flavor and large clove size make it worthwhile to use fresh throughout the storage period.
What's your satisfaction guarantee?
We guarantee our organic garlic quality. If you're unsatisfied with your order within 30 days of delivery, contact us for a replacement or refund. All our garlic is guaranteed viable for planting when stored properly.
👩🌾 Why Select Basaltic Farms' Music Garlic?
At Basaltic Farms, we're dedicated to preserving Al Music's Italian-Canadian agricultural heritage. Our Music Garlic connects you to this remarkable story while delivering the exceptional yields and preservation qualities that made this variety renowned among commercial cultivators. As a certified organic garlic farm in California, we specialize in premium heirloom varieties.
- 🇨🇦 Authentic Canadian heritage – Al Music's original Italian lineage
- 🌋 Volcanic soil cultivation for intense flavor and vigorous growth
- 🏆 Research-proven yields – Top performer in Michigan State studies
- ❄️ Cold climate specialist – Thrives in zones 3–8, excellent cold resistance
- 🧄 Oversized cloves – Large size minimizes preparation time
- 💼 Professional preference – Chosen by chefs for consistent quality
- 🌡️ Heat sensitive – Optimal performance in cool climates with extended springs
- 💰 Volume & Wholesale Options – Premium porcelain garlic at competitive rates
⭐ Customer Testimonials
Here's feedback from customers about our Music garlic.Read additional reviews from growers and chefs who appreciate this Canadian variety.
💪 Nutritional Benefits of Music Garlic
Music garlic offers more than exceptional taste – it provides outstanding health benefits. This variety contains substantial allicin levels, the compound responsible for garlic's health properties. The health benefits of garlic are extensively documented and supported by modern Research.
- 🧬 Abundant Allicin – High concentrations of natural antibacterial/antifungal compounds
- ❤️ Cardiovascular Support – May help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- 🛡️ Immune Enhancement – Powerful antioxidants protect cells and strengthen immune function
- 🌿 Anti-inflammatory Properties – Traditionally used to reduce inflammation
- 🧠 Cognitive Support – May help protect against age-related cognitive decline
- 💪 Concentrated Benefits – Large cloves provide substantial health compounds
Note: The FDA has not evaluated these statements. Garlic is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
🧄 Nutritional Information (Per Large Clove: 4–6g)
Music Garlic contains high levels of allicin, antioxidants, manganese, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. The large clove size delivers concentrated nutrition and health benefits in every serving.
📋 Quick Reference Guide
Planting Checklist:
- ✅ Order by August 15th for guaranteed availability
- ✅ Plant 6–8 weeks before ground freezes (varies by zone)
- ✅ Ensure rich, well-draining soil with pH 6.0–7.0
- ✅ Add compost, bone meal, and organic fertilizer
- ✅ Pre-chill 1–2 months if in a warm climate
- ✅ Plant cloves 2–4 inches deep, pointed end up
- ✅ Space 4–6 inches apart in rows
Growing Season Care:
- ✅ Maintain mulch through winter for protection
- ✅ Side-dress with compost in early spring
- ✅ Maintain consistent moisture (but not soggy)
- ✅ Hand weed regularly to avoid competition
- ✅ Cut scapes when they form a complete curl (save for cooking!)
- ✅ Watch for disease signs and remove affected plants
- ✅ Stop watering 2–3 weeks before Harvest
Harvest & Storage:
- ✅ Harvest when lower 4–5 leaves have dried
- ✅ Cure in a warm, dry, airy space for 2–3 weeks
- ✅ Store in cool (55–65°F), dry, dark conditions
- ✅ Check periodically and use sprouting bulbs first
- ✅ Properly stored garlic lasts 4–6 months