Messidor Softneck Seed Garlic

Quick Reference

Type: Artichoke Softneck | Best for Zones: 4–9 | Planting Season: Fall (Sept–Dec)
Flavor: Mild, balanced, smooth rounded heat — ideal for roasting and everyday cooking
Cloves per Bulb: 12–16 creamy white/beige | Bulb Size: Large | Storage: 9–10 months
Ships As: Whole cured bulbs, sold by weight
Climate Notes: Thrives in warmer climates; good adaptability to cold winters; early to mid-season harvest (June–July)

About Messidor Garlic

Messidor is a highly regarded French white Artichoke softneck garlic, prized by growers for its impressively large bulbs, exceptional yields, and outstanding storage life. Originally developed in France, Messidor has earned a loyal following among home gardeners and market growers alike for its reliability, versatility, and the kind of clean, approachable garlic flavor that works in virtually every dish. If you’re looking for a dependable, high-yielding softneck that stores beautifully and performs across a wide range of climates, Messidor belongs in your garden.

Flavor Profile

Mild, balanced, and smooth with a pleasant rounded heat that never overwhelms. Messidor’s creamy white to beige cloves deliver a clean, classic garlic flavor that’s approachable for all palates — not too hot, not too mild. It roasts beautifully into a sweet, mellow spread, holds up well in long-cooked dishes, and slices cleanly raw into salads and dressings. A true all-purpose kitchen garlic that earns its place in any cook’s pantry.

Culinary Uses

Messidor’s mild, balanced flavor makes it the ideal garlic for dishes where you want garlic presence without heat dominating — perfect for cooking for mixed audiences or anyone sensitive to strong garlic. Its French heritage shines in classic preparations: roasted whole and spread on a baguette, stirred into béchamel or cream sauces, or slow-cooked into a French onion soup or cassoulet. Messidor’s clean flavor also makes it the top choice for garlic-infused butter, garlic confit, and garlic oil — its mildness lets the pure garlic essence come through without bitterness. With 12–16 creamy white cloves per bulb and 9–10 months of storage, it’s a high-yield variety that’s practical for preserving. Its early harvest (June–July) means you’ll have fresh garlic on the table before most other varieties are ready. As a softneck with a pliable stalk, Messidor braids beautifully — a classic French kitchen tradition that keeps your harvest accessible and decorative all year.

Best Growing Zones

Messidor thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4–9, with particularly strong performance in warmer climates and good adaptability to cold winters. It’s an excellent choice for gardeners in the South, Mid-Atlantic, Pacific Coast, and warmer Northern states. Its early to mid-season harvest (typically June–July) makes it one of the first varieties ready to pull each summer.

Planting Instructions

Plant in fall between September and December depending on your zone. Separate bulbs into individual cloves just before planting. Plant 2 inches deep, pointed end up, spaced 6 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. Mulch lightly in colder zones. Messidor is a vigorous, reliable grower that produces large, healthy plants through spring. Its soft, pliable stalk makes it ideal for braiding at harvest.

Storage & Curing

Messidor stores for 9–10 months when properly cured — outstanding storage life that makes it a practical choice for year-round kitchen use. After harvest, cure in a warm, dry, well-ventilated space out of direct sunlight for 3–4 weeks. Its soft stalk is ideal for braiding — braid immediately after harvest before the stalks dry out. Store braided or loose in a cool, dry location with good airflow. Do not refrigerate.

Growing Resources

Find zone-specific planting advice and see how Messidor compares to other varieties in your region:

• Garlic Planting Calendar by USDA Zone — find your zone and best planting window
• Garlic Planting Calendar by State — state-by-state variety recommendations
• Best Garlic for Zone 4 | Zone 5 | Zone 6 | Zone 7 | Zone 8 | Zone 9

🎁 What’s Included With Your Order

Every Garlic Gods order ships with our exclusive Commercial Garlic Prep & Soak Guide — proprietary pre-planting soak recipes, timing, and bio-stimulant protocols used by professional growers ($15 value, free with every order). You’ll also receive complete planting & storage instructions so your garlic arrives ready to succeed.

Shipping Info

🧄 Pre-ordered garlic will begin shipping in September for fall planting. All orders placed after October 1st will ship within 5 business days. You’ll receive a tracking email once your order ships. Learn more about our shipping.

📚 Garlic Growing Resources

🌱 New to growing garlic? Read our Complete Garlic Growing Guide for step-by-step instructions on planting, fertilizing, harvesting, curing, and storing garlic.

🧮 Not sure how much to order? Use our Garlic Seed Calculator to find the right amount for your garden or farm.