I recently grew enough garlic for my family to last us most of the year. We had a successful harvest, so I set out to learn about how to store it properly. Here’s how to cure garlic for storage.
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The Best Place to Buy Garlic for Planting
I purchased my garlic from Keene Garlic because they offer heirloom and organic varieties. I pre-ordered this sample pack of garlic from them several months in advance, and they shipped it when it was time to plant in my zone!
High quality garlic bulbs are an investment, but you can save and replant some of the bulbs for future harvests! The quality of this garlic and the size of these bulbs is nothing like I have seen from a grocery store!
I harvested over 50 bulbs of garlic. While I think this will last us for most of the year, I’m planning on doubling this number for next year so that I’ll have extra bulbs to save and plant. I also want to have enough to save to make into garlic powder.
Hard-Neck vs. Soft-Neck Garlic
This year, I only planted softneck garlic because it can be braided and lasts longer in long-term storage. However, I want to try planting some hardneck garlic next year, too, because then I will be able to harvest garlic scapes and have more of a variety.
This year, I pre-ordered this hard-neck garlic bundle. Additionally, I will plant some leftover garlic from this soft-neck garlic bundle that I bought last year.
Garlic Preservation Methods
There are different ways to preserve garlic. Here are some popular methods:
- Curing
- Freezing
- Pickling
- Fermenting
- Dehydrating
- Freeze Drying
I opted for curing garlic because of the amount that I grew. While I might use some of the other methods later, curing garlic allows you to leave the bulb whole and store for 6-7 months.
When to Harvest Garlic
When you harvest garlic will depend on when you planted, the variety you planted, and your zone.
For warmer climates, garlic may be ready in early June. For cooler climates, expect to harvest from mid-July through August.
The best indicator as to whether your plants are ready to harvest is when the lower leaves turn yellow and dry out. If you wait until the entire garlic plant is brown, it will be too late to harvest. However, if you wait for the lower ⅔ of the plant, it is a great time to harvest!
Harvesting on a dry day before watering is best because it will help speed along the curing process and help prevent rot!
How to Harvest Garlic
I made the mistake of just pulling the garlic bulbs out like onions which resulted in me losing several of them in the soil.
Instead, use a small garden fork to loosen the soil around each garlic bulb before gently working them out.
Don’t wash off the bulbs unless you plan to use them right away! Instead, shake or brush off the excess dirt before moving forward with curing.
What is Curing?
Curing is the term used to describe the process of drying plants to preserve them for long-term storage. By allowing the plant to dry on the outside, the edible parts of the plant are able to last longer.
Curing helps prevent mold and rot. It is best to cure vegetables in a well-ventilated area with good airflow and to store in a cool, dry place with low humidity.
How to Cure Garlic For Storage: Step 1 – Drying
Once brushing off the dirt and debris, lay or hang your garlic to dry in a cool, dry place with good airflow.
I used a cart with racks similar to this for the initial process, but you could also hang up some field fencing and tie the garlic up to it like this!
For hardneck varieties, tie a few of the bulbs together with gardening twine to hang. For softneck, you can wait about a week into the curing process before braiding them together.
I recommend using a fan like this to aid in airflow to help with the drying process.
How to Cure Garlic For Storage: Step 2 – Braiding
After about one week when the garlic was partially but not all of the way dried, I braided the bulbs together to hang up. I watched this video to learn how to braid them properly using some garden twine.
I allowed them to finish curing by hanging up the braids or laying them on a rack. If you are curing your garlic in a dry region, it can cure in 2-4 weeks. Humid environments may take 5 weeks or longer to cure!
How to Cure Garlic For Storage: Step 3 – Drying
Once cured, store your garlic in a cool, dry place. For softneck garlic, I recommend braiding. For hardneck garlic, I recommend tying them together like this and hanging them up.
I store my garlic in my root cellar, but you could store yours in another cool, dry place if you don’t have a cellar. I have to check mine periodically for rot because our cellar does have some humidity issues when it rains.
How to Cure Garlic For Storage: Step 4 – Using
When you are ready to use a bulb of garlic, simply cut it off, remove the outer, dried up layers, open the individual bulbs, and wash them thoroughly!
If you want to preserve them longer than 6-7 months, you can use one of the methods above to extend their life.
The Importance of Curing Garlic
If you’re going to put in the effort to grow your own garlic, it’s important to know how to harvest and cure it properly. By following the steps above, you will have garlic preserved for months to come!
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