Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. 3 Bears Farm is certified organic by Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) and is a PA Preferred member. We follow USDA National Organic Program standards — no synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers.

We grow two hardneck varieties:

• German Extra Hardy — large cloves, bold robust flavor, excellent raw or cooked.
• Chesnok Red — purple-striped, medium flavor with a slight sweetness when roasted or sautéed.

We focus on building soil health over time through cover cropping, composting, minimal tillage, and supporting on-farm biodiversity. Our goal is to leave the land in better condition than we found it — for future generations of both the farm and the ecosystem. Learn more on our Stewardship page.

Scapes are harvested once a year, typically late May through late June. The window is short — usually 3–4 weeks — and they sell out quickly. We recommend reserving ahead of time to guarantee your order.

Fresh bulbs become available after our July–August harvest, following a 2–4 week curing period. Bulbs are typically available through the fall and into winter while supplies last. See our Availability page for current status.

For garlic scapes, use our online reservation form. For bulbs or other inquiries, contact us directly by phone or email and we'll get back to you promptly.

Yes, in limited quantities each fall (September–October) for planting. Seed garlic is the same certified organic stock we plant ourselves. Contact us early in the season as quantities are limited.

We primarily serve local and regional customers in Pennsylvania. Please contact us to discuss your needs and we'll let you know what's possible.

Properly stored hardneck garlic keeps 4–6 months. Store whole bulbs at room temperature in a mesh bag or open basket in a cool, dry, well-ventilated spot away from direct sunlight. Do not refrigerate whole bulbs — cold triggers sprouting.

Refrigerate scapes loosely wrapped in a damp paper towel inside a bag for 2–3 weeks. For longer storage, chop and freeze in an airtight container for up to a year. See our Storage & Cooking page for more tips and recipe ideas.

Hardneck garlic (what we grow) has a rigid central stalk, fewer but larger cloves, and a more complex flavor than the softneck varieties sold in most supermarkets. It produces scapes. The trade-off is a shorter shelf life of 4–6 months versus up to a year for softneck.