Newbie Garlic Farmer

Jun 20, 2021 11:33:11

This year I've planted several types of garlic at our small farm. It has exceeded my expectations as far as productivity and now I am a bit overwhelmed.
The above ground portion of some the varieties has turned brown about halfway up the plant and one variety has turned completely brown and fallen over. Several types are still very green and appear to be growing quite vigorously. I have dug up some of the completely brown ones and they look pretty good and smell like garlic.
How do I know when the optimal time to harvest the garlic is?

Jun 20, 2021 12:46:09

my guide is usually ‘when 1/3 of the leaves have turned yellow/brown’. that leaves enough ‘paper’ on the bulb to give good coverage.

Jun 20, 2021 14:21:32

Harvest when the bottom 1/3 of the leaves are brown, don't wait until they all turn brown as the paper skin will disintegrate in the ground and they won't look good enough to sell. It's also normal to cut those flowers off while they are still curled up, it helps get a bigger bulb and you can sell the scapes for a premium price as a bonus.

Jun 20, 2021 14:32:41

When the bottom 3 leaves are dry, yellow and crinkly.

Jun 20, 2021 16:46:51

Thank you for your expert advice, sounds like I've got some digging to do soon.
I don't intend to sell the garlic, just give it to friends, family, and customers.
I did cut off the scapes but left about a dozen from the Elephant Garlic to bloom out. The bees and all sorts of other little insects really seem to like them. They are nice big purple pom poms about 5 feet off the ground.

Jun 22, 2021 17:03:09

Newbie here also, USA zone 6b. Fall 2020 I planted my first elephant garlic and today harvested 34 heads. Yay!

Questions: I pulled off the loose corms (bulbils), but some are growing under the skins. Do I leave these on the heads while they cure? Or do I pry them loose? I feel if I disturb the skins they might not cure properly.

Also, I am moving and would like to plant the corns this fall instead of now. Do I let them dry cure like the heads? Do they need cold stratification?

I read to use the biggest cloves for replanting as they are clones. Do I plant dried, cured cloves in the fall? Or should they be planted now?

I had unused powder coated wire shelving in the garage that I pushed the leaves through so the heads could cure upside down. Is this acceptable in a hot garage?

Thank you, Permies folk for your thoughts in advance.

Jun 25, 2021 20:48:23

Great looking garlic, Angela. I believe they'll cure fine like that as long as there's airflow. Plant your cured cloves again this fall.

Jun 25, 2021 21:14:49

Thank you for the info!

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