Winter garlic variety "KHARKIV VIOLET"

   


Name: Харьковские фиолетовые / Kharkiv Violet
Type: Winter garlic, forms flower stalks
Origin: Ukrainian variety, bred at the Ukrainian Institute of Vegetable and Melon Growing

History

KHARKIV VIOLET is one of the oldest and most traditional hardneck purple garlic varieties, developed in the eastern region of Ukraine — Kharkiv (Харьков). The variety was formed as a local, folk selection, which several generations of growers adapted to the region's climate with harsh winters and hot, dry summers.

  1. In the second half of the century, the variety became widely known and was included in Ukrainian breeding materials as a stable, productive and resilient winter garlic line with a characteristic bright purple scape color. Thanks to its resistance to frost and diseases, KHARKIV VIOLET quickly spread to other Eastern European regions as well.

Today, it is still considered a classic, reliable winter variety, often used as a breeding base for creating new hardneck garlic hybrids.


Main Characteristics

  • Vegetation period: matures on average in ~110–115 days.

  • Plants: reach ~60–80 cm in height, with 8–10 dark green leaves.

  • Garlic bulb: round, sometimes slightly flattened.

  • Weight of one dried bulb: about 40-70g.

  • Garlic cloves: usually 4–6, can be up to 8 cloves.

  • Skin: light purple outer skin with very pronounced purplish-red stripes; freshly dug bulbs have white stripes with purple coloring, after drying — more intensely purple.

Yield and Storage

  • Yield: up to 100–120 kg per 100 m² (depends on cultivation methods)

  • Taste characteristics: very pungent (spicy) with excellent garlic flavor

  • Dried aroma: after drying, retains strong aroma and good flavor.

  • Disease resistance: well resistant to many diseases, and resilient  to significant temperature fluctuations. 

  • Special care notes: to avoid the spread of diseases, it is recommended to renew planting material every 2-5 years by growing from aerial seeds.


  • Cultivation and Planting

    • Planting time: in autumn (in low temperatures before frost).

    • Planting depth: depends on the soil, but usually 5-8cm deep.

    • Soil requirements: well-drained, with sufficient organic matter content.

    • Winter hardiness: winters well, even in frost, if planted correctly.

    Advantages for the Buyer

    • Special visual appeal: the purple skin attracts attention, making it a beautiful and interesting choice for both home use and gifts.

    • Strong aroma and flavor: ideal for those who appreciate a truly pungent garlic aroma.

    • Good storage: if properly dried, retains quality and structure.

    • Resilience: good disease resistance and frost resistance make cultivation less risky.

    Ideal Uses

    • Adds strong flavor to marinades, sauces, and stews.

    • Excellent for canning or drying.

    • Widely used in cooking — both fresh and processed.



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