Planting garlic was child's play. Many hobby gardeners are a little confused about the right harvest. We explain what you should pay attention to.
When should you harvest garlic?
When is the right time to harvest garlic? Look for these signs: The above-ground foliage has wilted and individual garlic cloves are poking out of the soil. Winter garlic is usually ready to harvest earlier than summer garlic.
The perfect time is visible
Winter garlic can usually be harvested a little earlier than summer garlic. This is understandable due to the longer stay in the ground. However, there is no firmly cemented schedule. Mother Nature still has a say.
If you keep an eye on your garlic, you can recognize the undoubted ripeness of the plant from the following attributes:
- the above-ground foliage has withered
- individual cloves of garlic peeking out of the ground
How long the planting material has been in the ground is of secondary importance in this regard. He althy garlic can easily thrive in the garden for a year or two until it is fully mature. If the plant presents the desired habit, it is harvested - not earlier and not much later.
Additional information on planting garlic is compiled here for you.
Harvest in just a few steps
No aids are required to harvest garlic. You simply grab the leaves with your hands and pull the tuber out of the ground. Alternatively, you can loosen the soil a little beforehand using the digging fork (€139.00 on Amazon).
The aroma benefits from a few days of ripening. To do this, spread the harvest in a dark, dry and airy place. Before you process the garlic bulbs, cut off the leaves.
Peel correctly after harvesting
If you give the freshly harvested garlic a period of time to ripen, its appetizing aroma will spread throughout the house. What could be better than using it in the kitchen to prepare delicious dishes? If it weren't for the annoying peeling.
How to peel fresh garlic in no time:
- cut off the tips of the toe and root base
- rub the garlic between your palms and then peel it
- alternatively place in the microwave for 5-10 seconds and peel off the skin
You can of course preserve the peeled garlic by drying it. Either in the air, in the dehydrator or in the oven, the shelf life after harvest is extended by several weeks.
Sacrifice the flower for higher harvest yield
Anyone who grows garlic themselves naturally aims for the richest possible yield. For this reason, experienced hobby gardeners remove the flowers from their plants. Garlic invests a lot of energy in their development, which is then not available for the growth of the toes.
In addition, the gourmet gardeners are firmly convinced that garlic without flowers has a finer aroma. However, in this case there is no material available for propagation in the form of seeds.
Tips & Tricks
You can effectively prevent the ever-dreaded garlic flag. After consumption, drink a glass of milk, chew fresh anise or peppermint. A mix of 1 teaspoon each of spirulina and silica is said to work wonders in reducing odors.
