How to harvest and dry garlic. Picture tutorial on growing garlic.

Basically, garlic is suitable for growing in various climates. Garlic takes longer to grow, but by the time the harvest finally comes, you can store fresh garlic for the winter and treat your friends to it. Garlic can be grown in the ground or in pots, and harvested in mid-summer or late summer. See step one to learn how to grow garlic.

How to harvest and dry garlic is part of a series of tutorials on growing garlic. The tutorial also includes preparation, care of garlic seedlings, harvesting and drying. If you want to know how to harvest and dry garlic, Follow this photo tutorial on growing garlic from the Production Department.

How to harvest and dry garlic

1The garlic plant can be harvested when the top of the plant turns yellow and withers. In July and August when garlic is mature and harvested, the top of the plant will turn yellow and wither, which means it is ready for harvest.
- Don’t harvest too late or the garlic will shrink and wilt. It doesn't taste good either.
- Harvesting too early is also bad.
2Carefully dig out the garlic balls. Use a shovel to carefully dig out the garlic bulbs, taking care not to break them and expose the garlic cloves. Bounce away any clinging soil and you can keep the garlic stems when you pull them out.
3Newly picked garlic should be placed in a cool, dry place to dry for two weeks. Allow garlic to dry naturally before eating. During this time, the garlic skin will dry out and harden.
- You can leave out the stem, justStore the garlic bulbs in a container that allows for air circulation.
- Another way to air-dry is to tie up the stems, hang the garlic, and place it in a cool, dry place.
4The garlic is ready to eat when its skin becomes dry and crispy. The garlic cloves at this time will be harder and easier to break.
5Save the best garlic bulbs for next year’s seeds. Choose larger garlic bulbs and leave them to be sown again before frost next fall or in early spring. Pick the ones that grow better, so as to ensure that big and delicious garlic grows next year.

Materials that may be used

Tools to prepare soil
Digging tools
Fresh garlic cloves (as many as needed)
Prepare containers if growing in containers and sandy loam

DIY Tips

In mild climates, garlic can be grown during the winter.
There is no need to add lime unless the soil is highly acidic. The ideal soil pH is 5.5 to 6.7.
Each plant needs to be 30 cm apart.
If you want to know more about the air-drying process of garlic, please refer to the article "How to Grow Garlic".