Gourmet Softneck Garlic Sampler Set

The Gourmet Softneck Garlic Sampler Set gathers four one-bulb selections that trace different softneck traditions, from Italian and Polish heirlooms to the celebrated Inchelium Red of Washington and a Western Rose Silverskin. Together they demonstrate why softnecks remain favorites for broad adaptation, attractive braids, and useful storage. The set makes an efficient garden trial for comparing flavor, bulb form, and harvest.

Sampler bulk pricing. This sampler uses its own bulk pricing and is excluded from the Garlic Mix & Match discount. Buy 3 or more for $37.99 each, or 6 or more for $33.99 each. The applicable discount is shown automatically in the cart.

• Organic Early Purple Italian: an early Artichoke type with purple accents and medium flavor.
• Organic Inchelium Red: a Washington heirloom with layered cloves and rounded flavor.
• Organic Polish Softneck: an Artichoke selection introduced to North America around 1900 and known for full savory character.
• Organic Western Rose: a late Silverskin with rose-toned cloves and strong storage potential.

This sampler makes it easy to find your own favorite everyday garlic. Roast one clove from each labeled variety to compare sweetness and texture, then taste small raw portions in a simple vinaigrette for heat and aroma. Early Purple Italian, Inchelium Red, Polish Softneck, and Western Rose also let you compare bulb shape, clove size, braiding, and storage. The result is a practical shortlist built from your garden and your cooking—not someone else’s ranking.

When planting the softneck sampler, mark four short rows and keep every variety identified from clove to cured bulb. Set the cloves in a sunny fall bed, provide even spring moisture, and note which plants mature first in your climate. Because these softnecks usually stay scape-free, the tops become the clearest harvest signal. Cure each group separately with the stems intact, then compare braidability and storage life as well as flavor.

Variety Details

• Type: Four-variety softneck garlic sampler
• Groups: Three Artichoke selections and one Silverskin selection
• Flavor: Balanced, savory, and aromatic profiles for comparison
• Bulbs & Cloves: California Early White typically has 12–16 and Inchelium Red 10–20 cloves per bulb; Italian Late and Lorz Italian counts vary
• Appearance: White to purple-striped bulbs with varied clove color
• Planting Time: Fall
• Approximate Harvest: Early to late summer, depending on variety and climate
• Climate: Softneck types are often suited to mild-winter regions
• Storage: Cure thoroughly and compare keeping quality by variety
• Something Special: Four softneck traditions in one labeled garden-and-kitchen trial

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).