Brian Woodstock’s passion for Australian garlic started while trying to impress his girlfriend, Helen, over a romantic dinner.
He had a great piece of whiting, but needed some garlic for seasoning.
“I went to the cupboard and my garlic was all dried up,” Mr Woodstock recalled.
“I went to the supermarket, but couldn’t find good Australian garlic.
“By the time I got back home to dinner, the fish was ruined, but thankfully I still had Helen.”
Five years ago, Mr Woodstock and Helen (pictured) moved to Gordon, planted their first garlic bulb a year later, and their business, Harmony Garlic, has blossomed since.
The couple now plant more than 80,000 bulbs each year, and are urging everyone to support the Australian garlic industry.
“Good quality garlic may cost a little bit more, but you’ll use less compared with imports,” Mr Woodstock said.
“And the big problem with imported garlic is that it sits in shipping containers for several weeks.
“And god knows what it’s sprayed in and grown in.”
Garlic growers celebrated the opening of Victoria’s 2017 season this month, as demand for good quality Australian garlic continues to grow.
