California Late White Garlic (lb)

California Late White seed garlic is one of the Artichoke softneck strains that defined twentieth-century garlic production in California and the Pacific Northwest. Growers and dehydration companies maintained multiple Late selections for firm bulbs, practical storage, and harvest after California Early types. This conventional planting stock brings that commercial heritage to home gardens with layered cloves and flexible stems.

Mix & match savings. This item is eligible for the Garlic Mix & Match discount. Combine eligible seed garlic and shallots to save 10% at 3 pounds, 15% at 10 pounds, or 20% at 30 pounds. The discount is applied automatically in the cart.

California Late White is a reliable choice for filling a braid, a storage basket, and the everyday cooking pot. Its familiar white Artichoke bulbs hold 12–16 cloves in overlapping layers, so the harvest supplies both broad slicing cloves and smaller seasoning cloves. Maturing after California Early helps spread out the digging work. Grow it when you want proven softneck performance, classic medium flavor, and very little fuss.

The medium, classic garlic flavor fits sauces, soups, marinades, roasted vegetables, pickles, and everyday sautés. Raw cloves add a clean bite to pesto and dressing; roasting develops sweetness and a smoother aroma. Use larger outer cloves for slicing or whole-clove dishes and reserve small inner cloves for stocks and spice pastes. It is a sensible all-purpose garlic for cooks who value versatility.

When growing California Late White, set the cloves in a sunny fall row with fertile soil that does not puddle. The plants use cool weather and changing day length to form bulbs, then put on most of their size during active spring growth. Water consistently until the tops begin to fade around mid-summer. Lift before the outer skins break down, cure beneath cover, and keep the flexible stems intact for braiding.

Variety Details

• Type: Artichoke softneck garlic
• Flavor: Medium, classic, and versatile
• Bulbs & Cloves: Typically 12–16 cloves per bulb; bulb size and count vary with growing conditions
• Appearance: Pale wrappers that may show tan, pink, or red tones
• Planting Time: Fall
• Approximate Harvest: Mid-summer; timing varies by climate and planting date
• Zones & Climate: Zones 5–9; a classic California commercial softneck
• Storage: Good keeping potential after complete curing
• Something Special: A later-maturing standard from California’s defining softneck industry

Compare Garlic Varieties

For planting and variety guidance, visit the Garlic Resource Center, use the Garlic Selector, or browse all Seed Garlic & Shallots. For a side-by-side look at flavor, type, harvest timing, and more, open the downloadable Fall 2026 Garlic Varieties Summary (PDF).