It is nearly time to enjoy one of the many fruits of your vegetable garden labor! Garlic harvesting!
Most varieties will be ready to harvest in late June to mid-July. The best indicator of time to harvest is when the 5 lowermost leaves have yellowed and died. When 3 to 4 leaves have turned brown, you should discontinue watering. Dig the whole plant with a spade or garden fork and gently remove dirt, taking care to keep the wrapper intact. Let dry in a shady location with good air circulation for a day or two. Brush off any remaining dirt and tie in bunches. Hang in a shady, dry, cool, and well-ventilated location for 4 to 6 weeks to cure the bulbs. Once dry, trim stalks to about 1½ inches above the bulb. To maximize storage life, store bulbs at 32 to 25°F and 65 to 70% relative humidity, such as in a refrigerator. Bulbs can be stored at room temperature, but storage life may be shortened if the bulbs begin to sprout due to the warmer temperatures.
