There’s something deeply satisfying about growing your own garlic. You grow garlic, forget about it through winter, and then spring arrives with those beautiful green stalks reaching skyward.
But here’s where most gardeners panic. You’re staring at your garlic patch, wondering, is today the day?
Pull too soon, and you’ll end up with disappointingly small cloves. Wait too long, and the papery wrapper splits, turning storage into a nightmare.
I’ve learned the hard way that garlic whispers when it’s ready. You just need to know how to listen.
The secret to how to know when garlic is ready to harvest? Count the leaves. Each green leaf equals one protective wrapper around your bulb underground.
When about half of those lower leaves turn brown while the tops stay green, your garlic is telling you something. It’s time to grab a trowel and check.
When Will Garlic Be Ready to Harvest?
Garlic doesn’t come with a calendar date stamped on it; instead, it sends you clear signals when it’s ready to bloom.
Generally, garlic planted in the fall reaches maturity between late spring and midsummer, typically May through July, depending on your climate and the variety you’re growing.
Watch for these signs:
1) One-third to one-half of the lower leaves have turned yellow or brown
2) Upper leaves still remain green
3) Each green leaf equals one protective wrapper on the bulb underground
Before harvesting the main bulbs, you can enjoy earlier harvests from the same plant, scapes, chives, and bulbils. Picking these at the right time also helps your bulbs grow larger.
Here’s when to harvest each one.
When To Harvest Hardneck Garlic?
Hardneck garlic is typically ready to harvest between late June and early August, depending on when you planted and your local climate. Fall-planted hardneck garlic usually takes about 8-9 months to mature.
The trick is watching the leaves. When you see about half of the leaves turning yellow or brown from the bottom up while the top leaves stay green, it’s time to check your bulbs.
Don’t wait until all leaves die back; by then, the bulb wrappers may have deteriorated, leaving your garlic exposed and prone to rot during storage.
The ideal harvest window is when 40-60% of the foliage has yellowed. Dig a test bulb to confirm, the cloves should be plump, well-formed, and wrapped tightly in papery skin.
Elephant garlic follows the same timeline but often matures a week or two later. Its larger size means it needs a bit more patience.
When To Harvest Hardneck Garlic Scapes?
One advantage of growing hardneck garlic is the bonus harvest you get before the bulbs are ready, scapes.
These are the curly, tender flower stalks that shoot up from the center of the plant in late spring or early summer.
You’ll want to cut them when they’ve formed one or two loops and still feel tender. If you wait too long, they straighten out and turn fibrous.
A simple test: if the scape snaps when you bend it, it’s perfect for harvesting.
Snipping scapes isn’t just about getting an extra ingredient for stir-fries; it actually helps the garlic focus its energy on bulb development, potentially increasing bulb size by up to 25%.
When To Harvest Hardneck Garlic Bulbils?
If you skip harvesting scapes and let them grow, you’ll notice a small capsule forming at the top of each stalk. Inside are bulbils, tiny, seed-like bulbs that can be planted to grow new garlic.
Wait until the capsule begins to crack open naturally. At this point, the bulbils inside should feel firm and have developed their own papery covering.
Harvest before the capsule bursts completely, or you’ll be chasing bulbils all over your garden. Bulbils are a great way to expand your garlic supply without buying new seed garlic.
The only downside? They take 2-3 years of growing before they produce full-sized bulbs. But if you’re patient, it’s a cost-effective method to multiply your harvest year after year.
When To Harvest Softneck Garlic?
Softneck garlic matures a bit earlier than hardneck varieties, usually ready for harvest between late spring and midsummer, typically May through July. Since softneck garlic is often grown in milder climates, it tends to develop faster.
Unlike hardneck garlic, softneck doesn’t send up a flowering stalk, so you won’t have scapes or bulbils to harvest along the way. Your only harvest is the bulb itself, which makes timing even more important.
Watch for these signs:
- One-third to one-half of the lower leaves have turned brown or yellow.
- Upper leaves still remain green.
- Each green leaf equals one protective wrapper on the bulb.
To confirm readiness:
- Gently dig around one bulb to inspect it.
- Cloves should be well-defined and pressing against the skin.
- The wrapper should still feel intact and tight.
- If the skin is splitting or the bulb feels loose, harvest immediately
One big advantage of softneck garlic? It stores much longer than hardneck, often lasting 6-9 months when cured and stored properly. So getting the harvest timing right pays off in the long run.
FAQ’s
How do I know when my garlic is ready to pull?
Check the leaves. When about half of the lower leaves have turned brown while the upper ones stay green, your garlic is likely ready. Dig up one bulb to confirm, cloves should be plump and wrappers intact.
Can I harvest garlic too early or too late?
Yes, both cause problems. Harvest too early and you’ll get small, underdeveloped bulbs. Wait too long and the wrappers start splitting, which means shorter storage life and exposed cloves prone to rot.
Should I stop watering garlic before harvest?
Yes. Stop watering about 2-3 weeks before you plan to harvest. This helps the bulbs dry down and makes curing easier. Wet soil at harvest time can lead to mold and rot during storage.
How long does garlic need to cure after harvesting?
Garlic needs about 2-4 weeks to cure properly. Hang it in a warm, dry, well-ventilated spot away from direct sunlight. Once the wrappers feel papery and the stems are completely dry, it’s ready for storage.
Garlic Planting Time is Different in Different Areas, That’s why GardenChains Has Created Detailed Research Based Guides.
When to plant garlic in Alaska?
When to plant garlic in Texas? Plant garlic in spring in Texas!!
When to plant garlic in Florida?
