Planting & Growing Music Garlic: Is It Hardneck or Softneck?

Is Music Garlic Hardneck or Softneck? A Full Guide to Planting and Growing Music Garlic

If you’ve ever wondered whether Music garlic is hardneck or softneck, the answer is clear — Music garlic is a hardneck variety of Allium sativum, specifically a porcelain garlic. Known for its large cloves, easy-to-peel cloves, and rich, full-bodied flavor, this great garlic is a favorite among gardeners and chefs alike.

Brought from Italy to Canada in the 1980s by grower Al Music, this variety thrives in cooler climates and produces beautiful green leaves and sturdy scapes in early spring. Let’s explore how to grow, plant, and care for this flavorful garlic variety.

What Makes Music Garlic a Hardneck Variety

Unlike softneck garlic commonly found in grocery stores, hardneck garlic varieties like Music form a stiff central stalk. This stalk, called a “scape,” emerges in spring and curls before straightening—a telltale sign you’re growing a hardneck type.

As a porcelain garlic, Music produces 4–6 jumbo cloves per bulb, often with a pinkish hue and smooth, easy-to-peel skins. It’s also known for high allicin levels, which contribute to both its strong flavor and potential health benefits.

To better understand the difference between hardneck and softneck varieties, see our guide on growing garlic: what’s the difference between softneck and hardneck varieties.

Planting Music Garlic: When and How

When to Plant

For best results, start planting Music garlic in the fall, just before the ground freezes—usually planted in early to mid-October. This gives the cloves time to establish roots before winter.

Learn more about timing in our article on planting garlic: when and how to get it right.

How to Plant

1. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
2. Break apart garlic bulbs into individual cloves, keeping the papery skins intact.
3. Plant each clove about 2 inches deep, root side down, spaced 4–6 inches apart.
4. Cover the bed with straw mulch to insulate against cold.

For step-by-step guidance, visit our Garlic Resource Center or try the Garlic Selector Tool for recommendations suited to your region.

Growing and Harvesting Music Garlic

Growing Music garlic is rewarding — expect tall, dark green leaves in early spring and curly scapes by summer. Remove the scapes once they curl to help bulbs grow larger. Harvest when the lower leaves begin to dry but the upper ones are still green.

Check out our guides on how to grow garlic, caring for garlic over winter, and mulching beyond the basics for more tips.

Each pound of Music garlic usually contains 10–20 cloves per pound, producing robust bulbs that store well for 3–6 months. See how to store and preserve garlic for storage tips.

Why Gardeners Love Music Garlic

• Large, flavorful cloves
• Cold-hardy and reliable
• Excellent storage life
• Easy to grow and peel

You can find Music seed garlic and other hardneck garlic options in our Hardneck Seed Garlic Collection or explore Softneck Seed Garlic if you garden in warmer climates.

Conclusion

So, is Music garlic hardneck or softneck? It’s a hardneck porcelain garlic—beautiful, cold-hardy, and full of flavor. With easy-to-peel cloves, large bulbs, and excellent storage life, it’s a great garlic for both beginners and experienced growers.

Ready to start growing Music garlic? Find premium Music seed garlic and other garlic varieties at Grow Organic, and explore our full Seed Garlic Collection for more choices.

FAQs About Music Garlic