How (and When) to Harvest Garlic

When the tips on your garlic leaves are beginning to yellow, they're telling you that harvest time is near. Dig one up and check - it's the surest way to see whether or not the cloves have fully formed.

• Don't hold out for bigger bulbs at this point. If your bulbs are small it's because they were hungry, dry or soggy. Get them up, and have another go next year.
• Don't leave them until the tops have dried right off - by this time the bulb is over mature and is likely to have split - growing a new lot of cloves off the side. Once the bulb is no longer sealed in a skin, it means moisture is in, decay has begun, and ends with the sadness that is a short shelf life.

As soon as the cloves are formed, but while most of the tops are still green, get them out of the ground.

The Wait for Dry Days

To prevent fungus and decay in storage, let garlic dry off a bit while still in the ground, and it's crucial to harvest on a dry day. A sunny, dry week pre harvest is ideal, but it's a balancing act between over mature garlic, actually having the time to do the job and ideal weather - just take whatever dry days you can get.

To make the most of a short period of pre harvest curing, pull the mulch off and slash back the weeds. This also makes harvest day heaps easier.

Harvest gently

Pulling garlic is a saying, don't take it literally - pull and the top will come away in your hand! Go along the row with your garden fork to loosen the bulbs first, then get down on your knees to lift each bulb out. Brush off the worst of the dirt, (don't bang it you ruffian - you'll bruise it!) and lay it down.

Curing

Curing is the process of drying, and is best done slowly.

Once all the garlic is out of the ground, hang it in bunches, or lay it on racks - tops and all. Choose an airy spot out of full sun, and leave it for 2 - 4 weeks until the outer most bulb wrappers are dry.

At this point trim the roots - leaving a bit of stubble; and the tops - leaving a small 'neck'. Both practices achieve a well sealed bulb. Gently remove the outer most dirty skin. You want a few layers remaining, so don't be too heavy handed/ enthusiastic. That'd be tea your drinkin' at your garlic cleaning party - whisky when the jobs done.