Growing Vegetables

When your done growing garlic its time to harvest. Harvest the garlic when the lower 1/3 to 1/2 foliage starts to yellow and turn brown while the leaves at the top are still mostly green. This usually happens in September or August. The leaves dying is not an exact indicator. You need to inspect a few bulbs by carefully digging away the dirt. You need to harvest before the wrappers start decaying or the bulbs start splitting open.

Carefully loosen the soil then dig out the bulbs from the ground- never pull the plants this may damage the skin. Shake off the soil without bruising the bulbs. Handle bulbs the same way you would handle eggs.  

Air dry the bulbs in a cool dark well ventilated area where the temperature will not fluctuate for two to three weeks. Placing them on window screens or a drying rack works well, or you can hang them in bundles of about ten. After they are dry you can remove the foliage one inch above the bulbs or braid them. Softneck Garlic can be stored for six months while hardneck can only be stored for about three months. Keep them in mesh bags or burlap bags in a cool well ventilated place. Don’t store them in jars, plastic bags, the refrigerator or oils which will increase the risk of botulism. When you take Garlic out don’t let the remaining bulbs get exposed to light. This will trigger the bulbs to start growing and lessen the time it can stay freash. Save your largest and best bulbs for next years planting. Don’t be concerned if your bulbs look smaller than the ones from the grocery store they will more than make up for that with superior taste. It was well worth growing garlic for yourself, its fresh, flavorfull and your own.
Part 1 Growing Garlic

Part 2 Growing Garlic - Planting & Care

PArt 3 Growing Garlic - Harvesting