Garlic ( Allium sativum ) is a democratic alternative for any garden , indoorsor outdoors , whether you ’re a founder or debate yourself a veteran professional . It’seasy to grow , makes a toothsome accession to everysummer meal , and is even know for itshealth benefits . If it ’s properly glean and salt away , this veg can last for calendar month and be quick to enjoy all winter foresightful .

With that in mind , you may be wondering when and how to reap your ail to ensure you get the most out of the vegetable . Fortunately , this step - by - step guide has all the ripe tips and trick so you’re able to spot when your garlic is ready to glean , the prick you ’ll need , and how to remove the plants from the ground .

When to Harvest

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Garlic is a bit of a slow - grower taking about eight months to fully mature . This cousin of theonionshould be quick for harvest home when the lower foliage begin to turn brownish and die off . The happy medium between unripe and overripe is normally when some , but not all , of the leaves have turn brown .

Digging up a bulb or two is the only way to ensure your garlic is ready for harvest . The garlic should be fast and the skins should be papery and dry . If you glean too soon , the clove will be too humble and wo n’t store well . But if you wait too long , they will bust out of their pelt becoming susceptible to disease and they wo n’t be fit for reposition .

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With that being pronounce , " slopped , " or young garlic bulbs can still be glean and eaten . If you planted them in the declivity , they should be ready between March and May . Wet garlic is ordinarily a little medulla oblongata rather than developed cloves . They will be tender and have a nutty - oniony flavor , but it wo n’t last long unless you freeze them .

The green stalks are also edible and make a great substitute for scallions .

Tools You’ll Need

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You ca n’t reap these flavor - packed clove without the good tool . Fortunately , the necessities are quite canonic and you ’ve belike already got them laying around your dick shed . Check out the requisite below .

How to Harvest Garlic

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Harvesting garlic is a simple project , but there are a few tips to keep in mind to ascertain you’re able to enjoy your crops . Once you ’ve gather your tools and put on your gloves , you ’ll be ready to go . set forth by using a garden fork to loose the soil around the bulb ; be sure not to thrust the bulb .

Now that the land is loose , you could commence remove the garlic plant life . Do n’t pull on the stem ! Rather , work the medulla out by gently moving it back and forth . Using both manus , mildly sweet-talk the garlic from the soil . This is to fend off damaging the medulla oblongata ’s protective layer , which will help when it come to storage .

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After you ’ve removed the Allium sativum from the ground , you’re able to shake and sweep off the excess filth . Avoid washing the soil off as the moisture can cause the garlic to go bad . Then , collect your ail in a mesh cup of tea or basket . As long as there ’s plenty of ventilation , your Allium sativum will be quick to cure .

How to Cure and Store Garlic

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Curing is a crucial gradation in ensuring that this vegetable will last in store . bring around is the operation of allowing the wet to abbreviate naturally .

If the leaves are still green when you harvest , there will still be a lot of moisture in the bulb . To bring around it , place the bulbs in a unmarried stratum in a ironic , ventilated arena devoid of verbatim sunshine . Leave the plants , for at least a workweek , until the green leaves turn brow .

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you may then trim the roots with scissors and use the root word to make a braiding and fall the Allium sativum . If you ’ve harvest peck of ail , you’re able to store it in more than one agency ! There are legion ways , whether you ’d like to stash away it in majority , freeze it , hack it up into a puree , or turn it into garlic table salt , you could savour it year around !

In Cloving

Garlic is just as easy to harvest as it is to grow . While it drive a bit of meter to be quick for harvesting , the payoff is worth the delay . A gentle deal and a good oculus are the best way to see to it your garlic is reap properly . Also , timing is important when it comes to harvest garlic . If their lifelike wrapper is well in - tactfulness , your Syzygium aromaticum should store for longer , maintain their aroma and flavor .

Because garlic is a staple in every cook ’s kitchen , there ’s no harm in adding them to your garden . And if you do , consider embed them withtheir idealistic companion plants .

Do you have any other tips and tricks for harvesting ail ? Do n’t hesitate to slop the beans below !

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Garlic ready for harvesting

gardening tools in a basket

hands harvesting garlic

Hanging garlic