Harvesting Garlic: From Garden to Pantry
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If you're anything like me, you find immense joy in watching your garden grow and flourish. One of my favorite crops to harvest is garlic. It's not just a flavorful addition to our meals but also a rewarding plant to grow. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a newbie with a green thumb, this guide will walk you through the fun and satisfying process of harvesting, drying, and storing garlic.
My number one tip before I dig into harvesting garlic… I don’t water our garlic for up to 2 weeks before harvesting. This allows the garlic to be dry out a bit as it’s fully formed and makes the drying process easier.
When to Harvest Garlic
Timing is everything when it comes to harvesting garlic. If you pull it too early, the bulbs might be small and not fully developed. If you wait too long, the bulbs might split and lose their storage potential. If you grew hardneck garlic, you have already harvested the scapes and you usually harvest garlic two-three weeks after the scapes have been harvested.
Here's how to know it's harvest time:
Check the Leaves: Garlic is ready to harvest when the lower leaves turn brown, but the upper leaves are still green. Typically, this happens in mid to late summer, around June or July, depending on your climate.
Feel the Bulbs: Carefully dig up one or two bulbs as a test. The cloves should be well-formed and the skin should feel papery.
How to Harvest Garlic
Harvesting garlic is straightforward but requires a gentle touch to avoid damaging the bulbs:
Loosen the Soil: Use a garden fork or spade to gently loosen the soil around the garlic plant. Be careful not to stab the bulbs.
Lift the Bulbs: Gently pull the garlic plants from the ground. Shake off excess soil, but do not remove the outer layers of the bulb just yet.
Handle with Care: Garlic bulbs can bruise easily, which can affect their storage life. Handle them gently during harvest.
Tips for Drying Garlic
Drying, or curing, garlic is essential for long-term storage. Properly dried garlic can last for months, providing you with flavourful cloves well into the winter.
Choose the Right Spot: Find a dry, well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. This could be a garage, shed, or even a shaded area on your porch.
Hang It Up: Tie the garlic plants in bundles of 5-10 and hang them upside down. Alternatively, you can lay them out on a screen or rack.
Patience is Key: Allow the garlic to dry for 2-4 weeks. You'll know it's ready when the skins are dry and papery, the roots are dry and brittle, and the cloves can be easily separated.
Storing Your Garlic
Once your garlic is properly dried, it's time to store it. Proper storage ensures that your garlic remains fresh and flavorful for as long as possible.
Trim and Clean: Trim the roots and cut the stems, leaving about an inch of stem if you're storing them as bulbs. Brush off any remaining dirt, but avoid washing the bulbs.
Choose Your Storage Method:
Braiding: If you've grown softneck garlic, you can braid the stems for a decorative and practical storage method.
Mesh Bags: Place the garlic bulbs in mesh bags or old pantyhose and hang them in a cool, dry place.
Cool and Dark: Store garlic in a cool, dark place with good air circulation. A pantry, basement, or cellar works well. Avoid storing garlic in the refrigerator, as it can cause the bulbs to sprout prematurely.
Check Regularly: Periodically check your stored garlic for any signs of spoilage. Remove any bulbs that show signs of mold or soft spots to prevent them from affecting the others.
I hope this blog was filled with tons of helpful information, and maybe you learned something new about growing garlic after reading this! You may be wondering “what about garlic scapes?” well, you’re in luck! I have the perfect recipe for you to use up those garlic scapes in that you can read how to make here.
