When and How to Harvest Garlic + tips for longterm storage!

[@5GreenAcres]

A good rule of thumb is two weeks after you remove scapes is a good indicator of when to harvest garlic. This way the bulbs not only get bigger but also all the nutrients go back into the garlic. Your garlic looked much too green to harvest and dry correctly. Some looked ready but not all. (Sorry Kaye!) . Hardneck grows better in the South. Then the most important thing is DRYING. Many people do not dry garlic correctly. Same with onions. I am still eating and using my garlic and onions from last season. I put mine on a set up of two work horses with wood lattice. Lay it across the lattice. This process takes time depending on your moisture in the air. How to tell is when it is CRISPY dry. Then cut it so there is still about 5" of stem left on the bulb. This prevents any moisture from entering the bulb after harvest. Stores have very trimmed garlic because they are not concerned about long term storage for consumers. How I clean mine is I trim the roots, cut the stems and then use that garlic bulb as a "brush" to clean the dirt off of the next bulb. Do not remove any of the skins! I hope this helps anyone on how to have garlic all the way through to next harvest. I planted 303 cloves last season....way too much garlic for me. I gave ooodles away just recently. Also many people don't know that the most beneficial medicinal uses of garlic is to eat it raw. That is why I like the smaller bulbs too. Eat one each day....raw and it is a natural blood thinner. Peeps on BP medication beware! Garlic also helps with ridding the body of bad bacteria in the gut. Not a doc. (disclaimer) just sharing what works for me. Lol.

[@Latebloomershow]

Thanks so much for taking the time to clarify all these points! I have pinned your comment so hopefully a lot of people will see it that have questions. I have a couple of questions so, number one, when is the time to cut the scapes? And 2, why do you suppose it all suddenly fell over like a wave? I really don’t think my cat did all that because he liked to squeeze into the middle and it was falling from the sides. Also there was a lot more brown on the smaller garlic. Would you consider that to be the proper time to harvest?

[@Latebloomershow]

Now I’m glad I put “is it time?” On my thumbnail😅

[@5GreenAcres]

@@Latebloomershow It is time to cut the scapes before they make the second loop. Anytime before that. I just cut some of mine and they were only 4" long. It is just to prevent the nutrients from being taken away from the bulb. Why your garlic fell over I'm not sure about that one but I would guess that a nutrient in your garden might be lacking to prevent strong necks? Yes on the smaller garlic and being more brown. Those have matured as far as they will go. I love the smaller bulbs for raw eating. You get used to the "burn" after awhile. Lol.

[@Latebloomershow]

@@5GreenAcres I do wonder if I could do it. Never have. Doesn’t your mouth taste garlic all day and night (and your breath?)

[@5GreenAcres]

@@Latebloomershow No

[@jamestalkington7434]

Good morning smart and Beautiful, have a caring and loving day, and above all keep smiling that beautiful smile of yours for all to see, and GOD BLESS your precious loving heart 😇🌷☕🇺🇸

[@TerrieAllred2023]

I can smell that beautiful garlic from here! Looks great, Kaye!

[@cbass2755]

Wow!! Just beautiful Kaye!! Great harvest!!

[@tahoeblue2491]

Wow lots of garlic. Great way to dry them. Happy gardening.

[@UrbanHomesteader101]

What a great garlic harvest that be an awesome add to your pantry.

[@jeannamaynard5037]

Wonderful harvest. I chopped mine with a small chopper, mixed with avocado oil, and froze in ice cubes. Then, I put the ice cubes in a gallon bag. Easy to grab and go every time I need garlic.

[@Latebloomershow]

I need a small chopper! My mother had a chopper that she always chopped her vegetables and I could still hear that thing banging on the cutting board and I’ve never had one of those and I really should have one can you text me the one the link of what you have

[@hetty2974]

Hello there my lovely yutube lady,oh wonderful film again and very useful, I thoroughly enjoyed watching and hearing the peaceful birds singing, cats playing 😊. You are doing well kaye, even though I'm not growing garlic ,I can pass on information to my garden friends, I do swap s with my eggs 😊. Sending love znd hugs from me and my garden girls 🐔. Hope ing your mum is keeping nice kaye. Prayers for you ,xx

[@ht6684]

Beautiful. Cutting my scapes today, garlic is my favorite thing to grow because its so easy.

[@Latebloomershow]

Yes, I am sure I jumped the gun on harvesting. Some were not ready.

[@bevsurbangarden]

God Bless You! Nice garlic harvest and information, thanks for the great video!

[@shawnsimonds9006]

I love the screen door!

[@jeannamaynard5037]

I would also suggest putting cloves in honey to keep as an imunity boosting supplement, like Stacy from Off Grid with Doug and Stacy does.

[@Latebloomershow]

I need to do that!

[@soniewhitten4844]

wow that's a lot of garlic. great job!!! thanks for sharing.

[@deborahstrickland9845]

Wonderful.💚👏

[@ginj5375]

Bless you, great harvest for 23. I have some wild garlic to harvest, it's alot stronger than my other garlic. N. Ms.

[@Latebloomershow]

I wonder if the foraging books have anything to say about wild garlic versus commercial

[@janecantrell7155]

Your video has been very helpful! I have garlic ready to harvest .. I did not know about clipping scapes and the timing of harvesting. I’m now ready to harvest my first garlic! Thank you.

[@cbass2755]

I’m planting garlic this Fall. I’ve never did it before. I actually forgot this year. But I do have an experiment this season. I’ve planted Saffron Bulbs! I ordered from Amazon and planted according to instructions. Nothing yet, but if im successful, im doing the happy dance! Garlic this Fall for sure

[@Latebloomershow]

Saffron!!! I’d love to try that. I’m doing ginger for the first time.

[@cbass2755]

@@Latebloomershow Oh! That's one I'd like to try! I forgot about Ginger. My neighbor is from Lebanon and gifted me Mint right from Lebanon. Tastes the same as regular Mint, but I'll take bragging rights! LOL...

[@DustySplinters]

Great Job Kaye, Garlic is fun to plant and a great staple. I've planted Hard Neck Garlic for decades. Have about 1000 in the ground this year and not expecting a good harvest with no rain now for 6 weeks here in Northern, PA. Full maturity comes about 3-4 weeks after cutting off the fully formed scapes. It is easy to miss a scape especially if your bed is wide. I plant in rows so I can walk on each side. You are right with the lower leaves browning. I wait for at least 3 of the lower leaves having browned and dried. Keep Growing !!! Peace, Walter

[@lindawoody8501]

Kaye you got a wonderful harvest of your garlic. Impressive. I harvested last week. I got 18 bulbs this year. Half were medium-sized and half were small. Those small ones were seed garlic from 2020 so I am not too surprised at the size. The larger garlic heads came one bulb I purchased from Safeway in the supermarket's produce section (I believe it is a soft neck and may be "Gilroy" a common California/AZ commercial garlic). I am using my steel mesh garden cart to dry the bulbs - just layer them out and the cart is placed under my shady carport. No problem with heat here - 90 degrees out!

[@FirstSuiGeneris]

I never knew, about drying out garlic, the correct way or in the shade. Thanks! : )

[@mariagillinson8527]

Congratulations Kaye on getting over 100k that’s amazing

[@ramblinrosecottage5983]

Great garlic harvest. Your homestead is coming along nicely. Your hardwork is paying off.

[@Debarchibald1960]

Garlic has so many health benefits.

[@offthegridgreco]

Bon jour. Como se va Mon petite. A very unique weather pattern has developed here in the Northwest. A front is moving East to West. I learned a new word. With dwarf fruit trees they're called suckers. Luckily they shoot straight up from the the tree & are easy to spot, but must be trimmed. That's the hard part. Always a pleasure to visit agapi mou. (Greek's love garlic & if they don't have a goddess for that you shall be my Garlic Goddess) 😍💪♎🌎⛵🇺🇸

[@carolavant3778]

Bless you! Great job with that garlic! It will serve you well in the coming year. I'm thinking about putting in some garlic and onions this Fall. Hard neck and soft neck varieties will grow here, but they're a challenge here in the Deep South (Zone 8b), so I will most likely grow elephant garlic. I'm so looking forward to growing English peas, brassicas, and over-wintering carrots.

[@gretchenarrant8334]

Great video!! Thanks for explaining how to do garlic from start to finish. I gave up. The squirrels wouldn't leave it or my ginger alone. I despise the varmits!! God bless.

[@camirichardson7485]

I have that problem with squirrels and chipmunks. I've started sprinkling cayenne pepper here and there and it seems to help. I started growing hot chili peppers so I can make my own cayenne pepper to sprinkle. I just sprinkle around the edges of my beds every 3-4 days and after it rains.

[@gretchenarrant8334]

@@camirichardson7485 thanks, I'll try anything. I bought the 1 bite and spray. Didn't faze Them!!

[@snafu313]

My garlic usually goes in end of September, comes up in April and I harvest usually around the 4th of July (I'm in zone 6A). Really easy to grow and nothing bothers it. And those scapes are edible as a vegetable with a mild garlic flavor.

[@dianebondhus9355]

We love garlic and will be planting some this fall.

[@Nadine-ol8dn]

Great video , I am envious, I did not get my garlic planted last fall.

[@christinesroutines]

Thanks Kaye! Jealous you are harvesting garlic already!! I'm just ready to harvest my Walla Wallas. (5a) Love the idea of the lightweight deer fencing. Those look great and I'm sure smell amazing!!! Excited to see how the peppers perform after the garlic! Nice garlic haul!! Wow!! Loved your little giggle when you found the big one!! That screen door was an AWESOME idea!! Way to go!! Thanks for sharing!! Your'e such an inspiration!! Blessings!!

[@Latebloomershow]

Thank you so much!!!!! My onions, well, IDK if I'll get anything but green onions at this point. That garlic felt dry by last night. Amazing what the fan can do to speed up drying. Plus my neighbor has a gate I might be able to utilize to create more space. Heading down there now.

[@Denise_B17]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@Latebloomershow]

Thanks for watching!

[@Mark19766]

Abundant harvest💚I remember your first garlic, grow like yesterday. I harvested mine as well, two, days ago. Thanks for the great update!

[@Minnehaha64]

Bless you! 😂 This was my first time growing garlic, and I knew to cut off the scapes, but I totally forgot! I pulled them all a few days ago, right before a rain I didn't think we would get. So I had them laying out, and they got all wet! 🤦‍♀️

[@Latebloomershow]

Oh dear!! Did you salvage them?

[@Minnehaha64]

@@Latebloomershow So far, they look and smell wonderful.

[@sued.530]

Good Morning Kaye - Wow that is a lot of garlic! Mine is not quite ready but will be soon. The screen door rack you made is perfect and may come in handy for other harvests. I think there are some soft neck garlic varieties that don't produce scapes but great tip to cut them off hard neck varieties for bigger bulbs. Wishing you a wonderful blessed weekend..

[@jimmiegrann5822]

Great harvest!!! I only have 2 small spaces in raised beds but have soft neck& hardneck in MA zone 6. No scapes yet but it won’t be long! You always work so hard & are an inspiration. As I’ve said before, I’m 81 and am researching how older Gardener’s get it done. Enjoy your show! Thanks! Jimmie Claire

[@hetty2974]

Hello there kaye, its wed 14th ,I'm just sending my thoughts and best wishes to you,its been baking hot here,my goodness phew,xxxhugs and take care xx

[@mimiprays8288]

New subscriber also Middle TN.. first time getting ready to harvest some garlic soon. Put in the ground kinda late but live and learn. Thanks for the advice..

[@Latebloomershow]

Thanks for the sub! Welcome to my channel! Good luck with the garlic!!

[@darlenesgardenandhome]

I've noticed that after I've supposedly harvested all my shapes, it grows more sometimes or they don't all make shapes at the same time. So I do have to harvest multiple times. I didn't get ANY garlic planted this year. I'm gonna miss it a lot.

[@kimbass5220]

Ms. Kaye, I purchased garlic bulbs for planting. Will they keep until Oct, or Nov. When I can plant them. Is there a certain way to store them until they can be planted? Bless you!

[@Latebloomershow]

Yes, in the the net bag in a cool dark place, preferably 55-65 is what I read. Good luck!

[@kimbass5220]

@@Latebloomershow thank you

[@karenleach2032]

Just finished curing all of our onions. They are beautiful! We tried a new sweeter red onion and they did very well. No garlic. 😢

[@camirichardson7485]

NICE harvest! I pulled my garlic last week because I needed the space. I was pleased with the palm size bulbs but wondered if they would have gotten bigger if I had waited a week or two. I try to save the biggest bulbs for planting next fall. You've got a boat load of garlic there. Will you be making garlic oil or doing them up in some other ways? WELL DONE, KAYE!

[@Latebloomershow]

Please tell me how to do garlic oil and I will!

[@bettyturley6735]

I cannot get garlic to grow. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.

[@Latebloomershow]

If soil is too soggy it can rot. Could that be the problem?

[@bruceglisson1720]

That garlic is not ready for harvesting. It’s so amazing all of the little tips that people have that are not true. Like the bulbs shouldn’t be touching. And harvesting on a cloudy day. Really?

[@Latebloomershow]

Some of it was and some of it wasn't, you are right. Please offer your advice here for educating us.