@nbbt , I keep wanting to plant garlic, just don't know what kinds like zone 7a. Any suggestions?
I'm in zone 5a or 4b, and the first 3 hardnecks listed below are claimed to grow well in zone 7 as well.
I have not tried to grow any softnecks, but may in the future. I like the stronger flavored types for the cooking we enjoy.
There are many varieties, so - depending on what flavors you want and weather you are using in cold food or cooking makes a difference for what you might want. I generally tend to stick with hardneck varieties, mostly due to stronger flavors, and partly because they store well with growing in our area. We harvest late July to early August and I usually don't have any spoilage until May or June the next year IF it lasts that long.
I'm been growing 4 varieties of hardneck's the last couple of years. Some work better when cooking and all have a stronger flavor.
Music Garlic, strong flavored garlic, taste is a medium hot, true garlic flavor.
Chesnok Red Garlic SUPER Easy to grow, best for baking, roasting and sautéing garlic
German (extra hardy) Garlic, raw flavor is pungent and spicy mellowing out when cooked.
Armenian Garlic, strong flavored, not-to-hot flavor of garlic, easy to grow
Below are a couple of good sites for much information on the different varieties.
Keene Garlic good definitions with suggested uses and sales
Live eat learn _38 varieties The title says it all