A:     This tasty, and to my mind indispensable, relative of onions, chives and leeks is a breeze to grow on the Central Coast. Garlic is an undemanding addition to vegetable and flower gardens, providing a taste sensation to a variety of dishes of every ethnicity.

While varieties abound, there are two basic categories of garlic: softneck and hardneck. Hardnecks have some flavorful varieties, but generally do not store as well as softnecks, which are the most commonly grown commercial types in California. For those who want to braid their harvest in attractive arrangements, stay with softneck varieties.

The optimum time to plant garlic here is from late September through early November. It is grown from cloves rather than seed and can be purchased or ordered from garden centers. There are online mail order companies that offer many varieties, but it is necessary to order early in the year before supplies run out. After the first year, save the largest cloves for next year’s planting.

Garlic grows best in sandy soil, rather than clay, but most soils can be amended with compost to provide the loose, rich texture garlic needs for nutrition, good drainage and harvest.

It is best to separate the bulbs into individual cloves a day or two before planting. Do not peel off the papery skin. Plant the cloves, pointed end up about 2 inches below the soil surface and 3 inches apart.

Provide steady moisture throughout the growing season, but avoid soggy conditions because the cloves may rot. As the July harvest approaches, ease off watering so the new bulbs waiting underground can dry and get ready for storage.