It\'s not only wine that has a bouquet

Tag : garlics
Garlic-shopping may never replace wine-tasting. But both can befound on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Olivos where Poul Palmer'sgarlic stand nestles amid the community's famed wine-tasting rooms.

It's a logical combination, he feels. “People who like goodwine like good food. Garlic fits right in.”

Nearly 30 different kinds of garlic are displayed in individualbaskets perched on wine barrels in the unpretentious stand behind apicket fence shaded by a valley oak at the corner of Jonata Street.

“I have a wonderful collection of gourmet garlic from aroundthe world,” Palmer said, pointing out characteristics of thedelicately hued bulbs from China, Japan, Russia, Spain, Mexico,Italy, Iran and France. “They're individual in clovestructure and how they look,” he said. “No two garlicsare the same.

“French garlic is the most sought after.”

Clearing up one misconception, Palmer noted, “Elephant garlicis a leek.”

Finding new varieties on the Internet, Palmer, who has “alittle farm on the south side of town,” has grown 60 types ofgarlic, though he has cut it down now to 40 favorites.

Claiming the largest collection of exotic garlics in SouthernCalifornia, he said, “I dare someone to have a biggercollection. I'll shake their hand.”

He began growing garlic a few years ago, after his doctor toutedthe health benefits. A retired mason, he said, “I've alwaysbeen a backyard gardener.”

In five years his garlic harvest has grown from eight pounds to2,500 pounds.

He plants cloves from this year's harvest for next year's crop.“One clove makes one bulb,” he explained. “Yousave garlic and replant it.”

Young plants require “constant weeding and constantfertilizing,” he said, and while his crop isn't certifiedorganic, he doesn't use pesticides.

Palmer, who points out that his grandfather came to Los Olivos in1907 and helped raise the town's landmark flagpole in 1918, sellsfresh garlic bulbs for $8 to $12 a pound.

The stand, open weekends from noon to 6 p.m. or by appointment(448-1140) will be open through October or “until I sell itall,” he said.

Roadside Attractions is a weekly chronicle of sights along theCentral Coast's main commuter routes. Sally Cappon can be reachedat sjcappon@aol.com .

August 12, 2008