Growing garlic is a rewarding experience, but knowing exactly when to harvest it can be a bit tricky. Harvest too early, and you end up with small bulbs that lack flavor. Wait too long, and your garlic cloves may split, lose their aroma, or fail to store well. So, how do you know when it’s time to harvest garlic? Let’s explore the key signs and tips to help you pick your garlic at the perfect moment.
The Importance of Timing in Garlic Harvesting
Garlic is a long-maturing crop, typically taking about 8 to 9 months from planting to harvest. Most gardeners plant garlic cloves in the fall and harvest the bulbs in late spring to mid-summer, depending on the climate and variety. The exact timing varies widely:
– In cooler regions like Canada and the northern U.S., garlic is usually harvested from mid-July to mid-August.
– In warmer areas, such as the southern U.S., harvest can start as early as May or June.
– Different garlic varieties mature at different rates, with Asiatic and Turban types maturing earlier than hardneck varieties like Porcelain or Rocambole.
Because weather, soil moisture, and temperature influence garlic growth, harvest dates can shift by a week or two each year. So, while calendar dates provide a rough guide, observing your plants is the best way to know when to harvest.
The Best Indicator: The Leaves
The most reliable method for determining garlic readiness is to watch the leaves carefully. Garlic leaves tell you a lot about the bulb’s maturity because the bulb grows as long as green leaves are alive.
What to Look For
– Leaf Color Change: When about one-third of the bottom leaves turn yellow or brown, it’s time to start checking your bulbs. The leaves die from the bottom up.
– Half the Leaves Brown: A good rule of thumb is to harvest when about half the leaves have died and half remain green. This balance means the bulb is mature but still protected by its papery skin.
– Don’t Wait Too Long: If you wait until all the leaves are brown and dry, the bulb wrappers may start to break down, causing cloves to separate and reducing storage life and flavor.
How Leaf Count Relates to Bulb Wrappers
Each green leaf corresponds to a layer of protective skin around the bulb. For example, if your garlic plant has 10 green leaves, the bulb will have 10 layers of skin. Harvesting too late means losing these protective layers, which can affect flavor and shelf life.
Testing the Bulbs
Once you see the leaves changing, gently loosen the soil around one or two bulbs to check their size without pulling them out completely. If the bulbs are plump and cloves are well-formed, it’s harvest time. If they’re still small, give them a little more time but keep checking regularly.
Garlic Varieties and Their Harvest Times
Different garlic types mature at different times, which affects when you should harvest:
| Garlic Variety | Typical Harvest Time |
|---|---|
| Asiatic & Turban | May to June |
| Artichoke (Softneck) | June to July |
| Rocambole (Hardneck) | June to July |
| Porcelain (Hardneck) | July to August |
| Silverskin (Softneck) | July to August |
Hardneck varieties often produce garlic scapes (flower stalks) about 4 to 6 weeks before the bulbs are ready. Removing these scapes encourages bulb growth and helps you time your harvest.
How to Harvest Garlic Properly
– Stop Watering: About a week before harvest, reduce watering to allow the soil to dry. Harvesting from dry soil reduces the risk of rot and makes lifting easier.
– Loosen the Soil: Use a garden fork or spade to gently loosen the soil around the bulbs without damaging them.
– Lift Carefully: Pull the bulbs out by hand, shaking off excess soil.
– Cure the Garlic: After harvesting, cure garlic by hanging it in a dry, well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight for 2 to 3 weeks. This process helps the bulbs dry properly and improves storage life.
What Happens if You Harvest Too Early or Too Late?
– Too Early: Bulbs will be small, cloves may not be fully formed, and the papery skin will be thin. Early-harvested garlic (sometimes called “green garlic”) can still be eaten but won’t store well.
– Too Late: Bulbs may split open, cloves separate, and the garlic loses flavor and aroma. Overripe garlic also has a shorter shelf life and is more prone to disease.
Final Tips for a Successful Garlic Harvest
– Keep track of your garlic variety and planting date to anticipate harvest windows.
– Monitor leaf color regularly as the season progresses.
– Stop watering about a week before harvest for easier digging.
– Cure your garlic properly to maximize flavor and storage life.
Harvesting garlic at the right time ensures you get the best flavor, aroma, and longevity from your crop. By paying attention to the leaves and testing your bulbs, you’ll enjoy delicious homegrown garlic all year round.
Your garlic is ready when half the leaves have browned but the rest are still green—happy harvesting!