Garlic Harvest and Storage
After 8 months of growing, I was finally able to harvest my garlic! Isn’t it beautiful?
As the tips of the garlic got yellow and brown, I decided it was time to start harvesting. First, I tipped over all the stalks and left them for a week or so:
They got even more yellow as they sat. I dug them up with my hands, but I would recommend a small trowel. The trick is to get under them and carefully lift up. You really don’t want to damage the bulbs or skin if you can avoid it. Honestly, this is my first time harvesting, so I didn’t do a great job.
Leave the garlic outside in a dry, shady spot. This “cures” them–it takes about a week. Now brush off the extra dirt and they are ready for storage. You can either braid the leaves, or cut them off about an inch above the bulb.
Store in a cool, dry location. The ideal temperature is about 40F.
When I went to Provence last summer, I purchased a beautiful braid of purple garlic at a farmers market. I enjoyed it displayed in a basket in my dining room for three months. Last November, just before the snow and hard freezing, I separated the garlic bulbs into cloves. I used the largest cloves from each bulb and planted them in three separte gardens; two raised beds and one west facing strip next to my house. This has to be the most successful planting I have ever experienced! Every single clove came up. They have been snowed on, blown from harsh winds, and still have grown up strong and green. Their healthy tops are about a foot long, at the end of April. I will now research the proper time and procedure for harvesting. Could not be more pleased that a part of Provence is filling my back yard.
I grew garlic from the grocery store–I planted the largest heads, 4 per square. I planted them in the fall–October or November–and let them grow all spring and into summer. Didn’t do anything special or fancy. They were GREAT! Next time I may look for fancier varieties, maybe even order some from a catalog.
I have been trying to grow garlic this year with no luck. I was told at my local nursery that while garlic does better being grown from fall to summer that you can still grow from early spring and harvest in late fall. But I have had no such luck. I did 6 per square foot and just bought starters at my local nursery.
If someone could tell me what worked for them (sunlight exposure, watering schedule, should I mulch?, etc..) Or any other suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
FYI, when I checked with the local green houses, they recommended to buy them from a farmers market so you get a variety that grows well in your area.
When I went there to get mine, it so happened that a former workmate was there and suggested to get the heads where the cloves are starting to separate are best to plant.
If you can believe it, I planted garlic from the grocery store. I’m sure it’s not the coolest variety, but it was the first time I grew it. Plant in late fall–October or November, just use one clove for each plant. I planted mine 4 per square foot, which was plenty of space.
I am so jealous. I really want to start growing garlic. How do I start. Did you get these as bulbs. Do they reseed. Any advise?
They look great! I tried to grow some garlic but my dogs dug it up. Now I have a small fence to keep them from destroying my plants and my little oak tree. 🙂 Live and learn, right?