Time to harvest hardneck garlic! Ten Neat Things
If you planted cloves last fall, now’s the moment you’ve been waiting for. Harvesting garlic isn’t complicated, but a few simple steps will make the difference between a long-lasting, flavourful crop something that just won’t keep. We’ll walk you through when to dig it up, how to cure it, why trimming matters, how to store it properly—and the one thing you should never do with fresh garlic.
1. Timing the harvest is crucial.
Garlic is usually ready in mid-to-late July in most of Canada, but timing depends on the variety and your zone. The key sign? When the lower third to half of the leaves have turned brown and dry but the top leaves are still green.You have to dig one up to know for sure if it is ready to harvest, though.If the cloves haven’t fully separated or the wrapper skins are too tight, wait a few more days.
2. Hardneck garlic.
There are two kinds of garlic: hardneck and softneck. Hard neck has the stiff stem in the middle of the cloves, and it is easier to grow in Canada. Softneck can be grown in milder climates, including southern Ontario, coastal BC and Nova Scotia, and it can be braided if you’re crafty, but you won’t get to harvest garlic scapes from it.
3. How to harvest.
Use a garden fork about 6 inches away from the top of the plant and lift gently. The roots are firmly in the dirt. If you pull it by without loosening it first, you risk bruising the bulb.It may come out caked in soil; just brush the soil away without water because washing it can increase the possibility of rot.
4. Curing is the most important step.
Freshly dug garlic is juicy and fragile. To cure, hang bulbs in bundles or lay them flat in a single layer in a dry, shady, well-ventilated area for 2 to 4 weeks. The outer wrappers will dry and protect the cloves.This process dries the outer wrappers and seals the neck to prevent rot in storage. You can hang garlic in small bundles or lay it out in a single layer on racks or screens. Some gardeners hang it bulb-down, others bulb-up, and others sideways. All these methods work, as long as air circulates freely and the space stays dry. Avoid direct sun, which can cook or bleach the bulbs before they’ve cured.
5. Check the neck.
You’ll know your garlic is cured when the neck (the hard stem in the centre) becomes dry and firm. If it isn’t dry and firm, the garlic will go mouldy and soft in storage.
6. Trimming comes last.
Once the garlic is fully cured, the roots should be trimmed back to about ¼ of an inch. Long roots can trap dirt and moisture, which encourages mould and makes bulbs harder to clean. Trimming also helps you spot any signs of disease or insect damage before putting the bulbs into storage. It’s a small step that makes a big difference for keeping garlic clean, compact and long-lasting.
7. Trim the necks now too.
Resist the urge to cut the necks early. Cutting too soon exposes the neck, allowing moisture and microbes to enter. The tops help draw remaining moisture out of the bulbs.
8. Cured and trimmed… what now?
Store garlic in a mesh or paper bagor a basket. Keep it away from sunlight. Ideal conditions are around 15Celsius with low humidity. Never refrigerate it, which can trigger early sprouting.It should last for 3 to 6 months. Check monthly for soft bulbs and throw them out.
9. Do not store in oil!
It may seem convenient, but storing fresh garlic in oil at room temperature can be dangerous. Garlic is low in acid, and oil creates an oxygen-free environment; these are ideal conditions for Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria that causes botulism. You won’t see or smell any warning signs. If you want garlic oil, make small batches and refrigerate them, using within a week. Or freeze chopped garlic with oil in ice cube trays for longer storage. But never store fresh garlic in oil on the counter.
10. Save your best bulbs for replanting.
Choose your biggest, healthiest bulbs to replant in the fall. Larger cloves tend to produce larger bulbs. This practice, over time, adapts your garlic to your local growing conditions. Be sure to avoid any that show signs of disease.
