Allium sativum 'Iberian Wight'

Garlic falls into two basic types: hardneck and softneck. Hardneck varieties generally produce larger bulbs and have a more intense 'garlicky' flavour than softneck varieties, but don't store as well.

Plant garlic in either spring or autumn – simply separate the cloves of the bulb and plant them individually at a depth of 5cm, spacing them 10cm apart. If you garden on heavier soils, it's worth growing garlic in raised beds, or raising the cloves in modular trays first, to transplant at a later date.

Allium sativum 'Iberian Wight' is a Spanish softneck variety, which matures up to a fortnight earlier than closely related variety 'Albigensian Wight'. It bears large flat, white-skinned bulbs, and stores well into winter.