Ambrosia Orchard knows their award winning garlic
“Country roads take me home to a place where I belong; Where my soul is not alone; Ambrosia Orchards transcendental song makes me happy all day long.”
I came across a very unique farm situated at the intersection of county roads A& T north of Withee, Wisconsin. The Ambrosia Orchard location was disclosed to me by word of mouth from Ed Rusch as I searched for heirloom garlic types to plant.
Being somewhat of an aficionado myself I engaged Larry Fildes in conversation during my visit a couple years ago. I was not disappointed and quickly realized how little I actually knew about garlic.
Ambrosia Orchard started in 1991 and has grown to a pick-your-own various fruit varieties while in season by Larry, Leokadia, and Larissa Fildes. It has grown to become an award-winning pick-your-own operation from a converted dairy farm and specializes in garlic from around the world. Ambrosia Orchard won two gold ribbons in 2018 and one in 2019 at the Minnesota garlic festival. Unfortunately, covid closed the Minnesota festival for the next two years.
However, Larry kept expanding garlic types with his core crew of dedicated associates, which I met in 2021 while seeking to expand my selections of garlic.
In 2021 Ambrosia Orchard won the largest bulb contest at the Elizabeth, Illinois Garlic Festival. To date, Fildes and crew have grown over 300 types of garlic. I find that amazing! In 2021, Ariel Dyer, Jessie St. George, Ashley Smrecek, Leah Wrons, Fildes, and Ed Rusch came to offer me assistance with my garden plots. Since then, we have bonded as special friends. (We experienced the loss of our friend Ed earlier this year.)
On August 13, 2022 Ambrosia Orchards entered several types in the Minnesota Garlic Festival held at the McLeod County Fairgrounds at Hutchinson Minnesota. They won five ribbons for five distinct types of garlic entered.
Fildes has informed me that there are hundreds of garlic varieties throughout the world.
If you wish to learn more about garlic you can email ambrosiaorchard.com. I am sure the garlic master will be happy to answer your queries as he did mine.
