In the "Compiling a List of Garlic Growers" thread, I posted a long account of prices paid for "gourmet garlic" for planting, as compared with the prices paid for such garlic in stores.

I'd appreciate hearing what prices are being charged for this "specialty" or "gourmet" garlic in groceries in your area (especially natural/organic groceries, Whole Foods, etc.)

I'm still feeling funny about paying $16/pound for planting garlic, then finding the same variety on sale at a natural food store for $2.89.

George,
I think if you are able to purchase organic garlic varieties for 2.89 in the stores near you, then you're getting a good deal! I might have to send you a check to buy me some if its something I don't have ordered or planted already. I can see your point about the difference in pricing.
How many varieties do these stores offer? The only garlic I can buy in stores close to my home is the California White, which is good garlic, but I want to try some "specialty" garlic and the descriptions make them irrestible to me.
One thing I noticed with places that sell for consumption and for planting, is they state that you get the bulbs with the biggest cloves for planting while other bulbs are sold for eating. So there is some difference in the product.

The natural foods store is near my new house in Ava, Missouri. I'm currently in Louisiana.

I was just curious as to whether I was foolish to pay $16-$20/lb for "planting garlic", when the same variety is being sold for $2.89/pound.

I was also attempting to find a market for MY 2006-7 crop, and was dismayed to find that the store owner was paying $2/lb. (Certainly a fair price, since she's selling it for $2.89, although I had visions of it retailing for a much higher price, with a correspondingly higher price to ME.)

I do agree with your observation that growers (including myself) will save the largest, prettiest bulbs for replanting, and sell the remainder.

Are we talking price per head or price per pound? I bought some German something-or-other for $1.25 per head. They said it was hardneck, but I don't think so.

Most all prices I've seen are "per pound", although I'm not real sure how many bulbs per pound.

As I recall, the first pound of "planting garlic" I bought contained six different varieties, and about 10-12 bulbs.

Goldpearl,

If you want to get started with some of those "specialty" or "gourmet" types, go to www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com.
You can give them a call. Bob Anderson will put together a selection that'll grow well in your area. As a matter of fact, his outfit is in Bangs, Texas. Tell him I sent you. Maybe he'll give me a discount on my next order.

Called the nurseries and farm stores around my neighborhhod this morning. Couldn't find one place that carries garlic to grow. That is why I used grocery store garlic last year. Thought maybe someone had started carrying this year, but nope! So, you could probably sell it for high dollars Here. HaHa No competion.

Grocery store garlic Hardneck(nice cloves) here is 25 cents a head. Elaphant garlic was $1.95 a HEAD.

Okay, so find a place to sell your garlic where people can't get anything but grocery store garlic and you can charge any price you like. Will that work?

By the way, I will be planting my June harvested, grocery store bought garlic tomorrow. So now I don't have to call it grocery store bought garlic anymore. HaaHa It is my homegrown garlic.

lisaann

I bought and planted locally grown garlic form a natural foodstore (sold as produce, for eating purposes) at $3.69/lb, hardeneck type but unknown variety, and it outperformed the 3 varieties of selected garlic I got from the seed catalog at 6.99+/lb.

Back again. Went to farmer's market this morning with my uncle. Got one head of Spicey Red Korean garlic. (that is what he labelled it) 75 cents. 4 cloves in the head. Gee! The guy said this is a bitey variety. Will plant and mark.

Can't wait to hear from you George! What else have you learned?

lisaann

Bitey Korean gArlic? sounds yummy! Elephant garlic is known to be less "bitey" and rather bland but still has the flavor and other good things garlic has to offer.
I think garlic is just like anything else gardeners will jump at a bargain, but when push comes to shove, we'll pay for what we want.
How can we resist?

George,

How are you making out on this price thing. We need an update here!

Want to know what all you have found out and decided and so forth! Talk to us dude!

lisaann

Haven't gotten much response. I guess the "rule of thumb" is "whatever the market will bear".

Search ebay which is the ultimate open market. Garlic for planting seems to go for 2.50 to 3.00 for three heads plus 2.50 shipping. That is what it actually sells for, not what it is listed for though you can't tell how big the heads are. You could sell on ebay too, no matter where you live.

I was surprised this weekend to see basic California white, not organic, garlic selling at 2.49 per each bulb, not by the pound.
That's close to the price I paid for my organic premium planting garlic. I feel like a got a pretty good deal now. "My" garlic is specialty garlic varieties not offered in the stores here.

I Sell table stock (small amd med size garlic-soft and hardneck ) for $6.50 per pound after it is cured. I sell at farmers markets. Seed size is $8-10 per pound and I price garlic braids at $12 per pound. I plan to sell to a couple of co-op grocery stores next year if our crop is good for $4.50 per pound (table stock). Most grocery store garlic is not grown in the US and the price is really cheap . Don't try to price like them. Express to the customers how yours is fresh local and varieties you can't find in the regular grocery store and you will sell it at a good price.
We also make garlic powder with our culls and sell for about $1.75 per oz

Garlic Lady,

Do you simply grind up the peeled cloves to make the powder? What about drying and storage of the finished product?