> > FYI: I have heard that hard-neck garlic is commercially grown in the Hudson River Valley, and widely available in the Northeast. It is also, I understand, the basis for the garlic festival there. I am told that it is preferred by chefs. Here in California it is occasionally available in specialty stores; most of our garlic, red or white, is the soft-neck type from Gilroy. One thing everyone should look for is spring garlic at farmer's markets. > Having lived one ridge over from the Hudson River valley for 30 years and friends with a commercial organic garlic and daylily grower, I can vouch that they also grow the softneck varieties, mostly Polish White (New York White) and S+H Silverskin. Here in NC, I prefer Nootka red, Music and Chesnook red. Mark Mazer Hertford, North Carolina USA Zone 7b-8