Garlic: Music, Red Russian two excellent varieties

Q. When I decided to plant garlic this fall, I was not sure what variety to choose, though I realize that Red Russian is the one most recommended. Is this the one you prefer?

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A. For most of my garlic growing years I planted both Red Russian and Music, one of the “Porcelain” varieties. When I began to see that the Music plants consistently grew taller and stronger, and the bulbs larger than the Red Russian, I began growing only Music.

Red Russian is widely regarded as a standard of excellence in garlic. It is valued for its robust flavour. Music is prized for its large, easy-peeling cloves and moderately spicy taste.

Every garden has its own individual set of growing conditions. It is always wise, when possible, to try more than one variety of a desired vegetable, herb or flower to see which ones grow and produce most satisfactorily in your particular microclimate and soil conditions.

Q. Just when I’m mired in autumn garden cleanup, my longtime garden helper has retired and I’m at a loss how to find someone reliable to replace her. Have you ever faced this situation? If so, did you manage to find suitable help?

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A. I am asked this question often. Good garden help is not always easy to find. I have been in your position. Here are the most effective ways I have found to access reliable assistance.

Ask neighbours and gardening friends. That’s how I found a current helper. She is a friend’s gardener who found a space in her busy schedule to garden with me for a few hours every two weeks.
Local garden clubs.
Favourite local garden centres. That’s how I first found help with some of the more physically challenging work around the garden. When that person retired, his son (equally pleasant and talented at his work) replaced him. That son’s gardening friends and family have become sources of more help when I need it.

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