A pair of Limestone Coast organic farmers are on a mission to grow garlic all year round to encourage shoppers to choose local over imported produce.
Rob Wallis and Liz Crowley of Ananda Organic boutique garlic farm near Naracoorte say shoppers are often convinced to buy imported garlic due to the dramatic price difference.
Australian garlic has a limited seasonal window.
According to Australian Garlic Producers, Australian garlic is only grown when Northern Hemisphere areas are not in production.
Rob Wallis with a hardneck garlic variety.
Australia imports about 10,000 tonnes of garlic every year from China, Spain, Argentina, Mexico and the US.
“It’s a price thing,” says Rob.
“Australian garlic is a high-value crop worth about $30/kg or more.
“Our mission is to have some form of garlic available all year round by growing many different varieties.”
Ananda Organic garlic is hand planted, weeded and harvested with no chemicals of any kind used.
“We spend weeks on end on our hands and knees weeding,” says Rob.
Liz Crowley (and an impressively positioned rainbow) among the garlic rows at the Ananda Organic farm.
Ananda Organic specialises in gourmet and long-lasting hardneck garlic varieties, such as garlic from the creole and turban families.
Hardneck garlic varieties are recognised by their long ‘scape’ stalk that grows from the centre of the bulb.
The easier-growing softnecks have no scape, but have white, papery skin, many cloves and generally store for longer.
“Most of the commercial varieties and the ones you see in the supermarket are softneck,” Rob says.
“You get more complex flavours out of hardnecks.”
Rob and Liz settled on their small property 8.5km from Naracoorte about seven years ago and tried their hand at growing garlic.
“We used so much of it but the quality available in shops was so poor, so we decided to have a go at growing it ourselves,” says Liz.
“Three years later we had our first commercial crop.”
The garlic is left to dry on racks after being harvested.
Ananda Organic also sells crushed and pickled garlic, and hope to market capers next year.
“Capers are an absolute delicacy,” says Rob.
“We’ve had them in (the ground) for five years and last year they started to yield decent amounts.
“They’re worth about $40/kg and each plant can yield up to 15kg.”
Ananda Organic recently celebrated the third consecutive gold medal in the Australian Food Awards for its Korean-style pickled garlic.
“We are really proud to be a part of SA and push its clean and green image as best as we can,” says Rob.
“We consider organic as a lifestyle. We are off the grid and we are working towards 100% sustainability and self-sufficiency.”
Liz says the health benefits of eating garlic are “phenomenal”.
“It’s one of the most powerful natural anti-bacterials in the world and the Egyptians force fed a clove a day to their slaves over 4000 years ago!” she added.
Ananda Organic products are also available through Shop South Australia’s marketplace.
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