Garlic is a household staple. If you decided to grow garlic this year and want to harvest or preserve it, check out these basic tips. Learn what to do so you can enjoy fresh garlic for months to come!
If you are just thinking about growing garlic, check out this garlic 101article to give you some pointers on what kinds to grow, how, and when to plant.
Harvesting:
If you are growing garlic you probably planted cloves last fall and now are ready to pull those gorgeous bulbs from the ground. You know it is time to harvest when half to three-quarters of the leaves turn yellow-brown, typically in late June or early July, depending on the variety. Ron England, the author of Growing Great Garlic, recommends harvesting when the plants are about 40% brown and 60% green. Ellen Polishuk, of Potomac Vegetable Farm, in Purcellville, VA says, “The key is to get them out of the ground at the right time – max bulb size competing with bulbs over ripening and busting out of their wrappers.”
To pull them from the ground, it is best to loosen the soil and pull up the whole stalk and bulb. Be gentle, don’t damage the cloves or else they could rot. If cloves get damaged, put these aside and use them right away. Once pulled, try to knock off as much soil as you can without damaging the bulb.
Curing:
Curing is the process that allows the outer skins of the garlic to dry out and seal around the fresh cloves. A cured bulb can last for months if stored in a cool and dry area. Once you have pulled the garlic from the garden, find a place that is out of the sun, is dry, and has lots of air circulation. Many people clump together 6-10 bundles and hang them in garages, green houses etc. The curing process takes about 6 weeks or so. You will know they are ‘cured’ when the wrapper is papery and shrunken. You can then trim off the roots and some of the stalk and store in a cool and dry area. They should last for about 4-6 months.
Other tips:
I usually save a few bulbs for next season’s crop. This way I never have to buy more garlic! Each year my crop provides the next year’s crop. If you have damaged cloves or don’t want to store too many bulbs, consider making your own garlic powder. This article recommends using the oven, but you can also use a dehydrator.
Here is a great video on how to harvest and cure your garlic.
Curious about the health benefits of garlic? Check out this article.
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