This past weekend , it was sentence for the garlic harvest home in our garden . If there is one single crop that we appear forrard to harvesting more than almost any other , it is our spill - planted , hardneck garlic .
There are two main type of garlic , softneck and hardneck . In general term , softneck Allium sativum can be produce in climate with more mild winters .
Hardneck on the other deal , raise skilful in areas where winter are retentive and cold . With both varieties , you’re able to imbed and harvest garlic in the same season , but fall planting and over - overwinter the crop results in larger and more rich head .
The Garlic Harvest – Garlic curing after being harvested
source Links : Hardneck Garlic Seed , Softneck Garlic Seed
The Garlic Harvest – Garlic curing after being harvest
One extra welfare of hardneck garlic is that they grow tasty garlic flower stalk in addition to the heads .
Garlic sprouting up in early fall
Scapes are long - stemmed shoots that work in early leap and are highly prized by chef the reality around . They are a mild miniskirt - version of the garlic that will be harvest a few month later on .
For our climate in Ohio , we have always establish and love hardneck ail . It can be implant in early to mid - September and then over - winter for a summertime harvest time .
plant in September allows just enough time for the Allium sativum to sprout and start to develop before going dormant through the stale winter months . See : How To Plant Garlic and Onions In The Fall
When fountain approaches , the ail once again make off . It forms its tasty garlic scapes in late give . By late June or early July , the tops set about to embrown off and the garlic harvest time is on !
The Garlic Harvest – When And How To Harvest
Garlic should be harvested when the soil is more on the ironic side . If the soil is too damp or water system - logged , the Allium sativum can become caked in crap and clay .
A uncontaminating , dry harvest intend that the pelt of the bulbs remains in tact . This protects the garlic while it cures . If over - saturate , the loaded soil cling to the garlic heads , and can become problematical to murder without damaging the skins .
Garlic shoot up in early drop
You know your garlic is quick to harvest when about two - thirds of the stemma above the soil argument have turn brown .
Harvesting is a simple process . The chief aim is to verify the bulbs are not damage while being unearthed .
Place a shovel or fork roughly 4 inches behind the angry walk . Carefully sink your digging tool down 4 to 6 inches under each stock , and lift slowly to excavate the bulbs . Do not pull on the stalks , as this could easily damage the bulbs below .
Gently sweep any stay on soil from around the garlic bulb . Be careful not to damage any of the cloves or stems , leaving the papery outside of the bulb in tact .
damage the stunned layers of the ail before it has a chance to cure can lead bulbs to prematurely molder . If there is a little refractory moist dirt will on bulbs , earmark it to remain . It will be well-situated to brush off later as it dry .
Before you store the garlic , you involve to cure it for a few weeks . cure is the cognitive process of hardening off the garlic .
To cure Allium sativum , hang in a dry area that is out of direct sunlight . It can be somewhat warm , but debar areas of utmost heat . The more airflow that is present , the full .
We have always used our barn rafters to bring around our garlic harvest . We hang the foresighted stems from a few of the lower rafter with a bit of twine .
Within a few weeks , they are cured and quick for warehousing . Bulbs are quick to stack away as shortly as they have dried to the touch and become harden on the outside .
you could use the garlic at any time , including right after harvest home . But to keep for long - term enjoyment , bring around is a must .
Once the garlic has cured , nip off the remaining stalking about 1 inch , to 1.5 inches above the garlic head . The stalks are great to put into the compost pile .
Store the garlic head in a cool , dark , dry location for maximal entrepot clip . We have always been able to stash away our ail for an entire year , until the next harvest .
Once our garlic has been cured and stored , we find fault out the best bulbs for implant in the fall . Garlic , as it becomes wonted to local dirt circumstance , grows better each yr . Select the upright and healthiest of this class ’s crop to plant as seed .
Each Eugenia caryophyllatum in a garlic head is seed , so you’re able to get 10 to 12 source per pass . Keep the clove heads together until planting time .
Here is to rise and reap your own craw of Allium sativum ! Jim and Mary
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