Norquay is a Porcelain hardneck garlic variety with Canadian roots. It originated in Alberta and was selected specifically for its performance in cold northern climates. It is very hardy.

If you grew German White with us last year, Norquay is the closest thing to it in our 2026 selection. You can expect the same Porcelain type with large, easy-to-peel cloves and bold flavor. It's sourced from August's Harvest, a family-run farm in Gads Hill, Ontario that has been growing and supplying certified seed garlic for over 30 years.

SHIPPING INFO: Seed garlic starts shipping in early October

 

Why Grow Norquay Garlic?

🧄 Big, Bold Porcelain Cloves: Norquay produces large, tight bulbs with 4–6 fat cloves each—easy to peel and full of that classic, spicy garlic flavor that shines raw or roasted.

❄️ Exceptional Cold Hardiness: Originally developed in Alberta, this variety is about as cold-hardy as garlic gets, and a reliable performer in northern gardens with tough winters.

🌿 Canadian-Grown Seed Stock: Our garlic this year is sourced from August's Harvest in Ontario, an operation with over three decades of experience supplying quality hardneck varieties across North America.

 

Growing Information

🌱 Plant Type: Hardneck garlic 

🌱 Hardiness Zones: 3–7

🌱 When to Plant: Fall, 4–6 weeks before the ground freezes

🌱 When to Harvest: Mid-summer (typically July-August), when the lower 3–4 leaves have browned but 5–6 upper leaves are still green

 

Cultivation Tips

• Soil: Rich, well-draining soil with good fertility. Work in compost before planting for best results. Garlic does not like to sit in wet soil.
• Sunlight: Full sun.
• Planting depth: Plant cloves 2–3 inches deep with the pointed end up, flat end down.
• Spacing: 6 inches apart within rows, rows 12 inches apart.
• Mulching: Apply 4–6 inches of straw mulch after planting to insulate against freeze-thaw cycles and retain moisture through winter.
• Scapes: Norquay will send up a curling flower stalk (scape) in late spring. Cut it off when it makes one full curl—this redirects the plant's energy into bulb development and gives you a bonus harvest of mild, garlicky scapes for cooking.
• Harvesting: Loosen soil with a fork before lifting. Don't wash the bulbs; brush off excess soil and cure in a shaded, well-ventilated spot for 3–4 weeks before storing.
• Storage: Properly cured Porcelain garlic stores approximately 6–8 months in a cool, dry, well-ventilated space. Do not refrigerate (this triggers sprouting).

About August's Harvest: August's Harvest operates on a 100-acre farm in Gads Hill, Ontario. The farm has been a leading Canadian garlic grower for over 30 years, supplying major grocery chains, seed houses, and home growers across North America and the UK. 

Non-GMO Commitment: At The Farm on Central, all our plants are guaranteed non-GMO and not genetically modified in any way, upholding natural breeding methods and promoting sustainable gardening and farming practices.