Garlic Growth Timeline from Planting to Curing Process for Long Term Storage

We grew hardneck garlic varieties like Music which grows best in cold climates. Below is the timeline of when we started all the way to harvesting and storing.

Late October - November: Start planting 2-3 weeks before the ground starts to freeze, plant garlic cloves 4” deep, about 6” apart.

Plant the cloves with the pointy tip facing up and add 1 inch layer of compost

If you have a long winter season, add about 4-6” layer of brown leaves to the top soil for mulch. This protects the cloves during winter as it lays dormant.

April: Garlic begins to sprout, by this time apply compost and water deep every 2 days in the morning. Continue to apply compost monthly and don’t forget to water.

June: Thin, curly, green garlic scape starts to produce right at the centre of the stem. They are edible and can be added to many dishes. If left be, it will turn into a flower and the plant will go to seed. By cutting the scape, the plant will direct all the energy into producing a bigger bulb size.

Late July - August: 3-5 of the bottom leaves should be completely brown before harvesting. This is a sign that the garlic is ready for harvest and will be best for long storage. Carefully dig 4-5” away from the stem to prevent damaging the bulb.

CURING PROCESS:
No need to rinse off the garlic bulb, leave it to dry protected from rain for 1-2 days. Then bring it to a sheltered location with good ventilation to cure for a couple of weeks. The stems should be dry before cutting them off.

Once dry, cut the stems about 2-3” above the bulb, cut the roots and gently brush off the dirt.

Store your garlic in a dry cool place. This will last up to a year.


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