When and How to Harvest Garlic
It’s not too difficult to determine the exact time of harvesting garlic (Allium sativum). However, harvesting too early could result in smaller cloves, while leaving bulbs in the ground for a long period can cause the cloves to burst out of their skins. And making them vulnerable to disease and shortening their storage time, therefore it is necessary to know right time to harvest in order to maximize crop yield.
Several years ago, I read in an eBook that was about Optimal harvesting time and techniques. It sounded remarkably so easy, and I was inspired to purchase some seed and give it a try. Growing garlic went so well! I ended up harvesting a large amount of fresh garlic. That was a good experience for me! After going through the process, I thought to share so that one can be able to know when and how to harvest garlic. Let’s get started!
Optimal Timing For Harvesting Garlic
Harvesting garlic at the exact time ensures optimal flavour and storage life. It is somehow difficult to know when the harvesting time has arrived because you cannot see the ripeness.
Here are some important Signs that will help you to know that Garlic is Ready for Picking or not:
1. Leaf Browning:
In the late spring/early summer (usually June or July). When the leaves begin to turn yellow and dry, the garlic is ready for harvesting. Watch the plants, if 2-3 leaves of the bottom have turned brown and started dying back, this indicates that your garlic is mature.
But, if you find that the higher leaves are yellowing or browning with yellow tips, that is not an indication of harvesting time. The deficiency of nitrogen in the soil is the common reason, which needs to be addressed for your next crop.
The only way to ensure this is to dig up a few bulbs to check their progress. If it looks enough mature and cloves fill out the skins, it’s time to pick garlic. If it doesn’t look enough mature, leave it for a little while longer.
2. Check Bulb Size:
Around mid-summer, gently replace the soil to check the bulb size. If the bulb is small like ping-pang, then you should wait a bit longer, and check again.
3. Garlic Scapes:
Hardneck garlic varieties produce curly flower stalks called scapes. When these scapes start to curl and make one or two loops, it’s a good indication that the bulbs are almost ready for picking. Hardneck varieties grow best in regions with harsher, colder winters. While Softneck varieties grow best in moderate climates. Harvesting is usually the same for both types of garlic, though the timing of harvesting depends on which hardneck or softneck variety of garlic you grow.
4. Cloves Closer Together:
When the garlic matures, the cloves will start to fill out and become more tightly packed inside the bulb. When you notice these signs in your garden/field, then do not wait longer and start to collect your garlic.
Tools Needed For Collecting Garlic
- Garden fork or spade
- Pruning shears or scissors
- Gloves (optional)
How to Harvest: Complete Methods
Complete method step by step is mentioned below:
Loosen the Soil:
It would be good practice to use a garden fork or spade to gently loosen the soil around the garlic bulbs. Be careful not to slice or damage the garlic.
Lift the Bulbs:
After loosening, lift the bulbs carefully out from the soil. For proper lifting, hold the plants by their stems or leaves and gently pull them out. Do not pull the bulbs directly to prevent breaking or bruising.
Clean the Bulbs:
Gently shake off the excess soil/dirt from the bulbs. Do not wash the bulbs directly, if you wash, this can introduce moisture and lead to mold growth.
Best Practices for Efficient Harvesting
Always choose a dry day for harvesting, avoid harvesting on rainy or foggy days. If it has rained recently, let the soil dry out first.
How to Cure Garlic
“Curing garlic” is the process of letting the garlic rest in a dry place with plenty of air ventilation. After harvesting curing the garlic is necessary because it helps to enhance its flavour, extend its shelf life, and make it suitable for long-term storage.
How to Hang Garlic to Cure
I just make a bundle of 4 bulbs, tie them tightly in a bunch, and let the bunch hang in a dry place. Make sure wherever you are curing the garlic gets plenty of airflow.
It is suggested to cure for a month or so. I prefer to cure for more than a month, just to make sure. But it depends on the weather conditions and garlic’s physical look.
Best Techniques for Cutting Garlic Scapes
The garlic usually grows quickly in the spring season, green leaves of the plant reach straight toward the sky. If you have planted hardeck garlic, you will probably notice a green sprout shooting up from the middle of the plants. It starts to curl as it grows. This is called a garlic “scape” which means the plant is trying to produce its flower head.
Since our purpose is to grow garlic for its bulbs, however, we want to energize all plants below the soil. So it is good practice to cut it off by using a pair of scissors or a knife when the scape has started to curl. Do not waste these scapes immediately! Scapes have a lovely mild garlic flavor and you can enjoy it.
How to Store Garlic
You can store garlic inside the house at room temperature, in a place away from moisture and drastic temperature changes. Make sure that garlic needs air flow and check regularly for bulbs that have gone bad. According to the Allrecipes, you can store unpeeled garlic ahead for approximately Six months.
Conclusion
Harvesting garlic at the right time is crucial for optimal flavour and storage. Picking too early can result in smaller cloves, while late harvesting can lead to clove splitting and vulnerability to disease.
After harvesting, curing the garlic in a well-ventilated area for about a month enhances flavour and shelf life. Proper storage in a dry, ventilated space ensures garlic remains usable for up to six months. I hope this article enhances your knowledge and improves your garlic production. For more information, be sure to visit our blog regularly.
FAQs
You should harvest garlic scapes when they curl between a half circle (left) or a full circle (right). If you wait much longer after this, the scape will be too woody to eat and you will not get the benefit of removing the scape.
Some tips for knowing when to start picking garlic:
1. Watch for the leaves to start turning yellow and drying, typically in June or July.
2. Garlic is generally ready to harvest when the lower two leaves turn brown.
3. To be certain, dig up a few bulbs and check their progress.
About 9 months
Yes, you can eat freshly harvested garlic, but it will be moist and not fully cured. For the best flavour and storage, let it to dry first.
In California, you should harvest garlic when you find about a third of the lower leaves have turned yellow and dry, which usually happens in mid to late summer. Check the bulbs to make sure they’re fully formed.
