Garlic-shopping may never replace wine-tasting. But both can be found on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Olivos where Poul Palmer's garlic stand nestles amid the community's famed wine-tasting rooms.

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

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

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

“French garlic is the most sought after.”

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

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

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

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

In five years his garlic harvest has grown from eight pounds to 2,500 pounds.

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

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

Palmer, who points out that his grandfather came to Los Olivos in 1907 and helped raise the town's landmark flagpole in 1918, sells fresh 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 it all,” he said.

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

August 12, 2008