German Red
240d to harvest
Experience German Red’s bold, lingering aroma and richly complex bite—garlic cloves that roast to a mellow sweetness while still carrying a deep, savory backbone. The bulbs form with a strong hardneck character, producing firm, easy-to-separate cloves wrapped in handsome, warm reddish-purple skins. Grow German Red for dependable, cold-hardy performance and for flavorful results in sauces, sautés, and pickled preparations.
Crop Dates
Growing note: Zone 4a has only 132 frost-free days — shorter than this crop's 240-day maturity. Outdoor planting is not viable; use protected cultivation.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Last Frost | May 15th |
| Growing Approach | Protected Environment Only |
Crop Details
| Trait | Value |
|---|---|
| Days to Maturity | 240 |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun |
| Growth Habit | Bulbing |
| Support Needed | None |
| Planting Depth | Normal |
| Germination Temp (°F) | 50 |
| Min Soil Temp (°F) | 40 |
| Min Night Temp (°F) | 28 |
| Harden Off (days) | Not Required |
Recommended Companions
Frequently Asked Questions
What pest or disease commonly affects Allium sativum (garlic) like ‘German Red’, and how can I manage it?
Garlic commonly suffers from white rot (Sclerotium cepivorum) and botrytis/leaf blight in wet, cool conditions. Remove and discard infected plants immediately, avoid overhead irrigation, and rotate out of all Allium crops for several years to reduce soil carryover. For prevention, plant only healthy cloves and improve airflow so leaves dry quickly after rain or watering.
How can I tell when Allium sativum is ready to harvest?
Harvest when 40–60% of the leaves have turned brown and dried, while the rest still look green. Lift a bulb carefully and check that the papery skins are fully formed and tightly wrapped around the cloves. If the skins are still thin or the cloves separate easily, wait a bit longer; if most leaves are brown, don’t delay harvest.