After careful observation and analysis, we’ve made the difficult decision to discontinue growing Chesnok Red garlic at our Montana GROeat farm. While this variety has been a beloved part of our offerings, its performance has consistently fallen short of our expectations in our high-altitude, cold-climate environment. Despite our best efforts, the Chesnok Red garlic has struggled to thrive at 5,400 feet above sea level and during our harsh winter temperatures. We believe that focusing on garlic varieties that are better suited to our specific conditions will allow us to produce higher-quality, more resilient crops for our customers. We have retired Chesnok Red for now.
Chesnok means garlic in Russian. Chesnok Red is excellent culinary garlic; It is amazing when sautéed, makes great baking garlic, and is recognized as one of the best garlic for roasting.
Bulbs are medium size. Chesnok Red produces bulbs that are not always symetrical. Great flavor.
It is recognized as one of the most prized varieties of garlic. When eaten raw in dips, salad dressings, and sauces, the flavor is lovely. This garlic has beautiful, elegant bulbs with vividly colored wrappers and tall, slender cloves. Chesnok Red and Persian Star are classic examples of the Purple Stripe variety. Chesnok Red, also known as Shvelisi, apparently was collected in 1985 from the village of Shvelisi located in the southern Republic of Georgia. Heads have 7-12 cloves per bulb, arranged in a circular pattern. Originally from the Republic of Georgia. Grown in Montana - USA.
When this garlic head is harvested from the soil in late summer, the head's outside wrapper is creamy white. When a few layers of the creamy white papery covering is removed, The true nature of this purple stripe hardneck comes to light. What is revealed is a striking purple-blush bulb and light brown clove wrapper. Similar to Persian Star, the tips of the cloves have a star-like appearance. It also goes by other names including Duganski.
Chesnok Red has an amazing taste, but, breaking apart the bulbs to access the cloves is a little difficult, in my opinion. The extra effort needed to get to the cloves is worth it. And, there are many cloves per bulb which is nice. From a planter's perspective, these are a little more challenging as compared to porcelain garlic. But the flavor and taste of the garlic is worth the effort.
20 Chesnok Red Bulbs have an approximate weight of 2.5 pounds. 20 Chesnok Red Bulbs have on average, 165 individual cloves. Some cloves are large. Many of the cloves are average-side and are nested together like a manderine orange. The "hardneck" stem of the Chesnok Red garlic is a little smalller in diameter as compared to the Porcelain varieties.
GroEat Garlic is shipped beginning in September, depending on the season and the variety. Quantities are limited; order early for best availability. Sorry, not available to Idaho or Canada.
CHESNOK RED (Hardneck, Purple strip)
Chesnok Red is planted in the fall, soon after the first frost and a few weeks before the first hard frost. The seed garlic bulbs should be taken apart into separate cloves not long before planting. Hardneck garlic requires vernalization (exposed to a period of cold temperatures) before or after planting. Plant cloves two inches deep, the pointed side up. Garlic does best with a loose soil with very good drainage and a pH of 7.0 optimum. This garlic also requires full sun. Avoid planting these in areas that are wet or damp. Plant in mounded rows or a raised beds with well-drained soil. Avoid clay soil.