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Inchelium Red garlic delivers the robust flavor serious cooks crave with the convenience of a softneck variety that stores beautifully and braids into attractive kitchen displays. Originally discovered growing wild on the Colville Indian Reservation in Inchelium, Washington, this artichoke-type garlic produces substantial 3-inch bulbs packed with 12-20 medium-sized cloves wrapped in distinctive white papery skin often tinted with reddish-purple. Hardy from zones 3-9, this perennial reaches 12-18 inches tall and can be harvested in just 60-69 days, though harvest timing varies by growing conditions and some sources report ranges from 45-85 days.
Full Sun
Moderate
4-9
18in H x 9in W
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Moderate
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What sets Inchelium Red apart is its perfect balance of medium pungency and robust flavor that never overwhelms, making it incredibly versatile in the kitchen. The bulbs store exceptionally well compared to hardneck varieties and can be woven into beautiful braids using their soft, grass-like tops. This drought-tolerant variety thrives with minimal care once established, attracting butterflies with its fragrant white flowers while deterring deer from the garden. The substantial bulbs produce generous harvests with each containing significantly more cloves than typical hardneck varieties.
This versatile garlic excels in any culinary application where you want robust garlic flavor without overwhelming heat. The medium pungency makes it ideal for raw preparations like aioli or herb butter, while roasted cloves develop a sweet, mellow character perfect for spreading on bread. The substantial bulbs store well through winter, making them kitchen staples for soups, stews, and everyday cooking. Beyond culinary uses, the attractive braided bulbs serve as functional kitchen decoration.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date, maintaining soil temperature at 45°F for germination. Keep seedlings watered but not wet until ready for transplanting.
Transplant seedlings outdoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date, when soil can be worked. For bulblet planting, set cloves pointed end up, 2 inches deep and 8 inches apart.
Direct sow 4-6 weeks before the last frost date when soil temperature reaches at least 45°F, ideally 60-70°F. Can also be planted up to 2 months before the first fall frost for larger bulb development.
Harvest bulbs in late summer when most leaves have turned yellow-brown and begin to fall over, typically 60-69 days from planting though this can vary. Dig carefully to avoid damaging the bulbs, then dry them for several days in a warm, well-ventilated area before storing.
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“Inchelium Red carries the story of indigenous agriculture in the Pacific Northwest, having been originally discovered growing on the Colville Indian Reservation in Inchelium, Washington. This variety represents the quiet preservation work that happens in tribal communities, where traditional food plants are maintained and passed down through generations before finding their way into broader cultivation.”