November Garlic Hint

November is the time to assess if your garlic is ready to harvest. This can be done in 2 ways. Either dig down around a bulb or two and decide whether they are large enough or harvest when 4 -6 of the lower leaves have withered. This is easier said than done as the lower leaves wither away to nothing and break off and disappear. A better way perhaps is to look carefully at the base of the stem and you will see tell-tale signs from where the leaves have broken away. If 6 are gone, then they are ready to harvest. It is important not to leave the bulbs in any longer because the remaining green leaves, when dry, form the white skins around the bulb, and this gives them the maximum shelf life (4 -12 months depending on variety). If you find the skins have split and the cloves have separated after harvesting them, use these first.

Garlic is best harvested from dry soil so stop watering your beds including refilling wicking beds, a good 2 weeks before harvest, and pray that it doesn’t rain.

Once harvested, hang the garlic plants in a cool, dry, airy place and allow stems and leaves to dry completely, before top and tailing each bulb. Leave about 5cm of stem and trim roots close to the base. Store in a cool, airy, dry place.