We grew Stuttgarter onions this season, planted from sets in the spring, and harvested them at the end of summer. However, we also have some space devoted to other members of the Allium (Allioideae) family.

One such vegetable is garlic. Garlic is classified into two types, hardneck and softneck. Hardneck garlic produces a central flowering stem called a garlic scape that is edible. This stem will, upon maturity, form the hard neck of the bulb. Softneck types grow only leaves (no flowering stem) so upon maturity, they form a soft neck.

Hardneck types have a shorter storage life, larger cloves and more complex flavor while softneck types store longer, have milder flavor and generally smaller cloves. We grow hardneck garlic, which is more tolerant of the cold weather in our Garrett County garden.

Softneck garlic is recommended for milder climates. Planted in mid-October (around Columbus Day), the garlic will be ready for harvest by mid-summer next year when approximately two-thirds of the leaves have turned yellow. Waiting until the plant has completely dried out, as with onions, will result in cloves that are over ripe and may not store well. You will find garlic bulbs offered by a number of mail order seed companies, as well as sold in garden centers.

Reading through the descriptions will help you determine which variety to grow. Sometimes statements about cooking methods or use are also provided.

Another vegetable planted in the fall for harvest the following year are potato onions. Also called a perennial or bunching onion, these bulbs grow in a clump, each bulb reaching3 to 4inches in diameter under ideal conditions. You can use some of the bulbs after harvesting and save some for replanting in the fall. My first crop of potato onions produced many small bulbs. I saved the largest ones for planting to get larger bulbs the following year.

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange (http://www.southernexposure.com) offers yellow potato onions, an heirloom variety. Similarly, shallots are planted in the fall, grow in clumps and are harvested the following growing season. Generally with a mild flavor, several varieties are readily available through seed catalogs.

Other noteworthy members of the Allium family are leeks. They are grouped into long season and short season types. For long season leeks, start the seeds indoors then move to the garden as transplants. Short season leaks can be directly sown in the ground.

Mulch plants heavily to continue to harvest into winter. Giant Musselburgh leek (listed as American Flag in some catalogs), an heirloom variety, was developed in Scotland. It is very winter hardy. As a long season leek, Musselburgh Leek can be sown in the fall, mulched heavily and then harvested in spring. But fall planting for leeks is recommended only areas that have mild weather. It may be worth trying if you live in the eastern part of Allegany County and a mild winter is forecast!

As a side note, although leeks are usually propagated from seeds, the main stem will sometimes produce bulbils (small bulb-like growths) at the base of the main stem. These can be removed and planted. If the main stem is producing a large number of bulbils, it is a sign that the leek may be past its edible stage.

Fascinating and flavorful Allium members can add to your culinary palette if your garden space allows. Other sources to check out for the various Alliums include Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (https://www.rareseeds.com) and Seed Savers Exchange (https://www.seedsavers.org), among many others.

For more information, contact the Master Gardener coordinator at the University of Maryland Extension Office in Allegany County at 302-724-3320.

Excerpt from:

Gardeners can move beyond common onion | Slice Of Life - Cumberland Times-News