THERE are no half-measures with garlic. You'll either relish it or run a mile.

Those with a crush on the stuff will be well aware of its anti-ageing and skin-smoothing benefits, but did you know these aromatic bulbs have now been proved to have antioxidant advantages, as well as helping to reduce blood pressure and glucose levels?

Allicum is the compound which produces most of garlic's healing properties and is released best when the bulb cloves are crushed or finely chopped.

Devon seed and plant firm Suttons offer three virus-free French varieties for 2010.

Arno is a softneck with ivory white skins containing a feast of attractive pink cloves and medium flavour, Jolimont, another softneck, is milder and can be stored right through to January, and Illico, an early-maturing hardneck, can be harvested in May as green garlic — just like Jolimont — and produces white bulbs with purple shading. All three varieties cost £3.95 each for two bulbs.

Plant garlic in light, well-manured soil that's moist and in the sun. Pink off flower head as soon as you can to divert nourishment downwards.

● Call Suttons on 0844 9220606 or open suttons.co.uk