Big Bulbs in Bogtown: Verona Garlic Festival

Sep 06, 2012

Photo: first place winners Marion Watkins, David Hahn and Miguel Hahn of Forest Farm, with Paul Pospisil and second place winner Kevin Craigen of Napanee

Judging by the bounty on show and for sale at this year's garlic festival in Verona, it appears that garlic growers had a great year despite the drought. Renowned garlic guru Paul Pospisil grows over 170 varieties and edits The Garlic News. He has been sponsoring the Eastern Ontario Garlic Awards, now in its 16th year. He said at the show, “In the 20 plus years that I have been growing garlic, this year has been one of the best three seasons that I have seen despite the drought. We had an early emergence with the garlic coming up in the middle of March almost two weeks early and the harvest came three weeks early. Those who watered tended of course to fare better than those who did not, and the sizes this year were outstanding because of all of the sunshine.”

Evidence of the bountiful crop was apparent in the displays of the 15 garlic vendors at the show, many of whom sold out. Taking the first place award again this year were the Hahns of Forest Farm. David Hahn was pleased with this year's harvest and said they had more sales this year than ever. He highlighted the benefits of locally grown garlic, which he said tastes better, keeps longer and is healthier. “We grow our garlic with care and tenderness and the foreign varieties just don't keep as long or taste as good.” People who cook a lot typically buy 5 or 6 braids (60-80 bulbs) to last them the year.

Kevin Craigen of Napanee, a newcomer to the festival who has been growing garlic for over a decade, took home the second place reserve champion award. He wholesales his crop to market gardeners and to a local store near Napanee, but says that finding customers in Napanee is a bit more difficult than in Verona and Perth. “People are not as educated about the benefits of locally grown garlic as they are in these parts but slowly that is starting to change,” he said.

Tied for third place this year were David Cornell of Ashton, Ontario and Wayne Davey of New Liskeard. The judge was Wilma Kenny and sponsoring the awards this year were Dianne Dowling of the NFU's Local 316 and Kim Perry of Local Family Farms in Verona.

Garlic growers were not the only vendors cashing in at the festival. Evan Ruzycky of Toronto sold hundreds of two garlic gadgets that he invented, a peeler and a chopper, and said he could have brought more product with him to the show.