How to Tell if Garlic is Ready to Harvest
It’s a little more difficult to determine when to harvest garlic than it is a tomato. You have to watch the plants and decide when you think they’re ready. I planted a ton of garlic last fall and I’m patiently waiting to harvest it. So how do you know when it’s time to harvest your garlic?
The best way to know when to harvest your garlic is to watch the leaves. When they begin to turn yellow and begin dying it’s almost time to harvest. Everywhere I read recommends harvesting when you still have 6-8 green leaves left on your garlic. These green leaves form the wrapping that protects the garlic during storage. If you wait for all the leaves to die back you’ll be basically killing off the protective covering of your garlic bulbs, making them more susceptible to pests and disease. However you don’t want to harvest too early because your garlic won’t be as strong or flavorful. About 2 weeks before you think it’s time to harvest you should quit watering it to make harvest easier.
I went out and checked my garlic the other day and it looks as though 2 of my varieties (the earlier maturing ones) are almost ready to harvest. I have 6 green leaves left and after digging down to inspect one of the bulbs they looked fairly nice. I pulled one of the bulbs to check the wrapping and make sure everything looked good (I’ll probably use this bulb in my pickles). Looks like it’s time! One of the reasons I’m growing my own garlic is because I love fresh garlic in recipes. It’s hard to find good fresh garlic around here so I decided to grow my own.
Do you grow your own garlic or buy it at the store (or do you use the powdered stuff)?
Filed under Edible, harvest | Comments (19)
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I do all three. I harvested my garlic two weeks ago. It was way early, but with the wet weather we have been having the leaves were sliming out and not drying. It is nice to say withhold water for two weeks before harvest, but Mother Nature sometimes dictates otherwise. I put plastic over the garlic to keep it dry, but it was just soaking in from the edges. So some of the bulbs are a bit on the small side, but maybe they won’t rot.
Daphne´s last blog ..Weird Weather
to Daphne's comment
I just pulled my garlic this week too. I have officially not purchased garlic for (over) one year! I guess I do have a jar of the powdered stuff I use once in a while–either for a specific recipe or if I’m feeling unbelievably lazy :)
s´s last blog ..Miscellaneous early harvests
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I grew garlic for the first time this year. I’m also in NE Ohio and pulled mine up this week. It was HUGE. It’s drying now and I just cannot wait to enjoy it. I can’t believe how easy it was to grow. I am definitely saving some cloves to grow the same variety next year.
to Karen in OH's comment
I’m going to try saving a few to grow for next year as well. I’ll probably still buy some new varieties to try.
to Susy's comment
Thanks for this post. I was just out in the garden yesterday scratching my head looking at the garlic trying to decide if it was ready. You think I would know by now, but it is easy to question things that are only done once every year. I really didn’t know about the leaf protection thing, I had better take another look at the row today.
Mike´s last blog ..Collecting Seeds
to Mike's comment
I think we’ll be pulling ours this weekend too. I actually do both…grow my own garlic and make my own garlic powder! :)
farm mom´s last blog ..More Challenging Than You’d Think
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I’m looking forward to making homemade garlic salt with fresh garlic. I’ve read on-line how to do it.
to Susy's comment
We’ll be planting garlic this fall for next year – first time growing garlic. I’m hoping that it goes well since I have a heck of a time finding garlic at the store that hasn’t already sprouted. Otherwise we usually go with a mix of fresh and a good powdered.
Pampered Mom´s last blog ..Folk Music Fridays – "do re me"
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That’s exactly why I decided to grow my own. I’m hoping if I hang it in the basement in braids or ropes it will last till next year’s harvest.
to Susy's comment
Last fall I planted some garlic cloves that I had from the grocery store that had started sprouting. I harvested 6 plants a couple of months ago. It was incredibly easy to grow and I definitely have plans to do a more deliberate planting this year. I’ve looked through the choices in seed catalogs and am a bit overwhelmed! There are so many varieties to choose from. What type are you growing? Where did you get your starter cloves?
I go through a heck of a lot of garlic so I’m not sure I can grow enough to keep me from having to buy it. At least until I get more beds built! It will be fun to try. Garlic and onions are two crops I need to grow lots of. One of my favorite recipes is Chicken and 40 cloves. Yummy.
to Seren Dippity's comment
I bought my garlic from: http://www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com
You can read about the kinds I’m growing here: http://chiotsrun.com/2008/10/18/a-day-in-the-garden/
to Susy's comment
We grow our own…and a lot of it! I love the differences between varieties. We harvested this week in fact…it all smells to great!
warren´s last blog ..The Happy Magical Washer
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We grew it for the first time, but evidently picked it a little late. I was wondering why so many of ours had no outer coating….duh.
Thanks for the tips!
Maureen´s last blog ..Kids do the Darndest things
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Yes we grow it and in fact, I pulled ours this past week as well. It’s curing/drying as I type this. I have grown garlic for many years, but this was the first year I have grown elephant garlic too. I am definitely going to add more of that for next year. I save bulbs for the fall planting up process, but purchase occassionally to try a new variety.
to KitsapFG's comment
Thanks for the tip! I harvested some that had about pushed itself out of the ground (or was that the mole). Anyway, I wasn’t sure quite when to do the rest. I’ll check on them tomorrow. Paula
Paula´s last blog ..Look at Me, Mom!
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You must have been reading my mind. I was wondering when I needed to dig mine up. How do you save the cloves to replant?
to TRaci's comment
To save garlic for planting, just dry bulbs as you would for eating. When you’re ready to plant, break them apart and follow these directions: http://chiotsrun.com/2008/10/18/a-day-in-the-garden/
to Susy's comment
I really want to do a fall planting of garlic in my garden this year. Unfortunantly I have not been able to find anyone locally who will have it available for fall. Looks like I will have to order some online.
Tiffany´s last blog ..Lots to Talk About
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[...] year I harvested my garlic on July 17. This year my garlic was ready to harvest early last week, but I didn’t have time to get out to [...]
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