Garlic is a versatile and aromatic
spice. It not only increases the taste of any dish but also has amazing health
benefits. If you grow garlic, you should know when and how to harvest garlic
for the best flavor. By harvesting garlic at the right time, you can get
flavorful bulbs that are perfect for cooking, storing and preserving. Today, in
this article, I will share the entire process of garlic harvesting in an easy
and simple way. If you are an expert gardener or a beginner, this guide will
help you a lot to acquire the knowledge you need to harvest garlic perfectly.
So, let's enter into the world of harvesting garlic.
Harvesting Garlic
Easy Steps to Harvest Garlic: A Simple Guide for Beginners
When to Harvest Garlic
Usually, garlic is harvested from late
spring to early summer. The exact time to harvest it depends on the planting
time and the climate. There are some signs that will tell you that your garlic
is ready to harvest. Now, let's learn about the signs of harvesting garlic.
Signs Your Garlic Is Ready for Harvest
- Yellowing of Leaves: When the time
for harvesting garlic is near, its leaves start to turn yellow and the plant
dies within a few days.
- Falling Leaves: As the garlic
matures, the leaves start to curl and fall off. And, the bulbs are
full-sized.
- Bulb Size: You can dig up
a few bulbs to see if the bulbs are firm and the cloves are plump. If the
bulbs are still small and undernourished, keep them on the ground for a few
days.
- Right Time of Year: Usually, garlic is harvested in mid to late summer. Actually, it is ready to harvest about 8 to 9 months after planting.
How to Harvest Garlic
A Step-by-Step Guide
Harvesting garlic is very easy. You have
to follow a few basic steps to harvest it. Now, let's know the basic steps to
harvest garlic.
1. Prepare Your Tools
Before harvesting garlic, collect the
right harvesting tools. For this, you will need a garden fork, a shovel or a
small hoe to loosen the soil. Do not use a hoe to harvest garlic as it can
damage the bulbs.
2. Loosen the Soil around the Garlic Bulbs
Use your garden fork or hoe to loosen
the soil gently around the garlic bulbs. Dig the hole a few inches away from
the plant to prevent damage to the cloves. Once the soil is loosened, gently
lift the bulbs out of the soil with your hands. Do not pull the garlic by its stem
because it can break the plant and reduce the quality of the bulbs.
3. Clean the Bulbs
After collecting the garlic bulbs,
gently brush them to remove excess soil. Now do not wash the bulbs with water
because moisture can cause them to rot during storage. If any of the outer
layers of the skin are damaged, peel them off carefully. Try to keep as much of
the skin intact as possible for storage.
4. Cure the Garlic
After harvesting, garlic needs to be
cured to make it dry. Hang the bulbs in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place
for 2-3 weeks. You can tie the garlic together in bundles and hang them. You
can also spread the bulbs out on racks.
Read more:
How to Store Garlic
Once your garlic is completely cured, it
is the best time to store it. Now you have to store garlic properly. Let's see
how to store garlic.
1. Store in a Cool, Dry Place
After curing, store your garlic in a
cool and dry place with good air circulation. It is best to store garlic in a
pantry, cellar or kitchen cupboard. Do not store garlic in a plastic bag
because it traps moisture.
2. Use Mesh Bags or Baskets
For better storage, keep your garlic in
a mesh bag or basket. You can braid the stalks together and hang them. If you
store individual garlic heads, keep them in a paper bag or box with air
circulation holes.
3. Check Regularly for Signs of Rot
Check your garlic occasionally to see if
it is rotting or sprouting. Remove any affected bulbs immediately to prevent
them from affecting the rest of your garlic crop.
FAQ Section: About Garlic Harvesting
Q1: Can you harvest garlic too early?
No, you cannot harvest garlic too early.
if you harvest garlic too early, the bulbs and cloves will be immature. So, you
should wait until the leaves turn yellow.
Q2: Should I water garlic before harvesting?
It is better to stop watering your
garlic a week or two before harvesting to dry soil. It will reduce the risk of
your garlic rotting.
Q3: How can I tell if garlic is overripe?
When garlic is overripe, the bulbs begin
to split and the cloves become soft or wrinkled. It can decrease the flavor and
reduce shelf life.
Q4: Can I harvest garlic with a shovel instead of a fork?
Yes, you can harvest garlic with a
shovel instead of a fork. However, a fork is better than a shovel. It will help
you to loosen the soil more gently. It will also reduce the risk of damaging
the garlic bulbs.
Q5: How long can garlic be stored after harvesting?
Properly cured and stored garlic can
last up to 6 months or more. Usually, it depends on the variety and storage
conditions. So, store garlic in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place.
In conclusion, garlic is a very useful spice. You can grow garlic in your garden by following the simple steps in this guide and enjoy it all year round by storing your planted garlic. Anyway, I think you have learned well from this article when and how to harvest garlic and how to store garlic. So, always stay with my blog site to read more such articles.
Have you learned the right way to
harvest garlic from this article? Do you have anything else to know about this?
If so, share it in the comments.
Related posts:
