Our F.A.Q's
Your questions on how to grow organic garlic answered!
Where can I buy garlic and produce you grow?
You may buy our organically grown garlic direct through our website or by emailing us on farmer@badjaforestfarm.com.au. We can only ship garlic to NSW, VIC, QLD and ACT due to biosecurity reasons.
We are also currently viewing some options of being in cooperatives and available in selected organic stores in NSW - stay tuned for more info!
We are also currently viewing some options of being in cooperatives and available in selected organic stores in NSW - stay tuned for more info!
Do you grow organic garlic?
We grow all our produce including garlic using organic principles and use no conventional pesticides, insecticides or fertilisers.
You will definitely taste the difference!
You will definitely taste the difference!
How many different garlic types do you grow?
We are currently growing one of Australia's most diverse range with over 30 different varieties, many of which are rare in Australia and some that are unique heirloom varieties from families who have brought them here when immigrating.
We are growing a variety from each garlic sub group, so we can provide one of the widest selections of colours, shapes and most importantly flavours!
We are growing a variety from each garlic sub group, so we can provide one of the widest selections of colours, shapes and most importantly flavours!
How long does it take to grow garlic?
Most garlic varieties take 6 to 8 months to grow from planting to mature to a nice shiny bulb. It's a long time and a lot of care is needed during the growing process.
Mulching, weeding, watering, fertilisation, more weeding, harvesting, cleaning, cutting, sorting and grading....we do all this manually by hand and give our garlic the very best care and attention it deserves to help it grow and taste great.
Mulching, weeding, watering, fertilisation, more weeding, harvesting, cleaning, cutting, sorting and grading....we do all this manually by hand and give our garlic the very best care and attention it deserves to help it grow and taste great.
What are the different types of garlic?
There are two different growing types of garlic, these are softneck and hardneck. Softnecks have a weaker stem and fall over as the mature, while hardnecks are rigid and generally form scapes (seed heads) if grown in the correct climate.
Under the two types there are sub groups. Each sub group has different clove formations, wrapper colours and bulb shapes. Each sub group grows at different times of the season and in different climates, all depending on where they have evolved.
There's definitely a lot of history and information about garlic to learn!
Under the two types there are sub groups. Each sub group has different clove formations, wrapper colours and bulb shapes. Each sub group grows at different times of the season and in different climates, all depending on where they have evolved.
There's definitely a lot of history and information about garlic to learn!
Why is your garlic price higher than others?
We grow organically and using eco-friendly practices. What does this mean? All our work is done manually using hand tools only, trolleys and wheel barrows. The garlic is planted by hand, harvested, cleaned where necessary and sorted by hand. Garlic is a labour intensive crop but well worth it due to its merits in natural health benefits.
What is regenerative agriculture?
There are different meanings of regenerative agriculture and every farmer uses the practices differently in full or part.
For us regenerative agriculture is seen as a way to help improve the land, the things we produce and our well being. We aim to heal the land, connect with it and our community, so that we can all benefit in a healthier way!
For us regenerative agriculture is seen as a way to help improve the land, the things we produce and our well being. We aim to heal the land, connect with it and our community, so that we can all benefit in a healthier way!
What is no till farming?
Our raised gardens beds use hugelkulture methods which are filled with logs and leaves in the bottom half, then with animal manures and topped with a small layer of compost or soil and then mulched with animal manures. Every year a new mulch top layer is added with minimal disturbance as possible to bottom layers (small amount of raking or scratching only).
No till farming helps stimulate microbiological growth like bacteria, fungi and mould, which help increase flow of nutrients, moisture retention and soil structure.
No till farming helps stimulate microbiological growth like bacteria, fungi and mould, which help increase flow of nutrients, moisture retention and soil structure.
Do you run farm tours?
Currently we do not run farm tours. As we expand and further invest in infrastructure, services and facilities will be included like farm tours to introduce people to garlic growing, regenerative agriculture and discovery nature walks.
How do you manage weeds in the garden?
We aim to suppress weeds where possible in the garden so that the garlic or other vegetables we are growing can grow effectively and have enough space to mature.
Managing weeds is quite easy when growing garlic as the weeds are smothered and not allowed to grow or germinate due to the thick mulch layer we use as our top layer. Weeds to get through sometimes, but it is quite manageable thankfully!
Managing weeds is quite easy when growing garlic as the weeds are smothered and not allowed to grow or germinate due to the thick mulch layer we use as our top layer. Weeds to get through sometimes, but it is quite manageable thankfully!
How do you manage moisture in the garden?
In our hugelkultur beds the bottom layer that is made up of brown matter helps increase bacteria and mould growth that increase moisture and stores it within that layer.
In addition to this, the top layer of thick mulch helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature below so there is limited evaporation.
As the beds use a fair amount of organic matter, there is a lot of bacteria and fungi that grows within the soil that helps regulate soil temperature and moisture. As the beds are no till, this microbiology is not disturbed and moisture along with biomass is retained quite well.
In addition to this, the top layer of thick mulch helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature below so there is limited evaporation.
As the beds use a fair amount of organic matter, there is a lot of bacteria and fungi that grows within the soil that helps regulate soil temperature and moisture. As the beds are no till, this microbiology is not disturbed and moisture along with biomass is retained quite well.