Northern Mix Seed Garlic

Best for USDA Zones 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7

Quick Reference
Type: Hardneck Mix | Best for Zones: 3–7 | Planting Season: Fall (Sept–Nov)
Varieties: Music, Russian Red & Chesnok Red | Portions: Equal by weight
Climate Notes: All three varieties are proven hardneck performers in cold northern climates with hard winters
Ships As: Whole cured bulbs, sold by weight | Savings: 10% vs. purchasing varieties individually

Can't decide on just one variety? The Northern Mix brings together three of our best hardneck varieties — each selected for performance in cooler northern climates. Perfect for gardeners in USDA Zones 3–7 who want bold flavors, exceptional cold hardiness, and the complexity that hardnecks deliver.

Save 10% compared to purchasing these varieties individually — the Northern Mix is the easiest way to try multiple hardneck varieties at once and discover your favorite.

This mix includes:

• Music — Porcelain hardneck, jumbo cloves, rich and strong flavor. Our most popular variety and a standout cold-climate performer.
• Russian Red — Marbled Purple Stripe hardneck, large bulbs, tolerant of wet springs, excellent all-around performer in Zones 3–7.
• Chesnok Red — Purple Stripe hardneck, sweet when roasted, one of the best baking garlics available. Exceptional cold hardiness.

Each mix contains equal portions of all three varieties by weight. Plant in fall, harvest in summer — and discover your new favorite.

Best Growing Zones
The Northern Mix is curated for USDA hardiness zones 3–7, where cold winters give hardneck varieties the vernalization they need to thrive. Music, Russian Red, and Chesnok Red are all proven performers in harsh northern climates — delivering large bulbs, bold flavors, and reliable yields across the Upper Midwest, Northeast, Great Lakes, and Pacific Northwest. If your winters are cold and your summers are short, this mix was made for your garden. Plant in sunny, well-drained soil for best results.

Planting Instructions
Plant in fall between September and November depending on your zone — earlier windows apply to colder Zone 3–4 gardens where the ground freezes sooner, while Zone 7 gardeners can plant into November. 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 heavily with straw or leaves in Zones 3–5 to protect cloves through hard freezes. All three varieties are vigorous cold-weather growers that push through spring and harvest in early to mid summer.

Storage & Curing
After harvest, cure in a warm, dry, well-ventilated space out of direct sunlight for 3–4 weeks. Music stores well for 6–8 months; Russian Red and Chesnok Red store for 6–7 months when properly cured. Store loose in a cool, dry location with good airflow. Do not refrigerate.

Growing Resources
Find zone-specific planting advice and see how these varieties perform 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 3 | Zone 4 | Zone 5 | Zone 6 | Zone 7

🎁 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.