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The Hollyberry Lady · 09-04-2009, 10:32 AM

Garlic...

Plant garlic in the Fall, and harvest them in June! For the last two weeks before you harvest, keep the garlic fairly dry to prevent the bulb from splitting. The tops will begin to droop and turn brown. At this point, bend them down to the ground. After the tops have dried out you can begin harvesting.

The easiest method is to push a spading fork as deep as you can, straight down about 6" from the garlic. Lift gently, and the bulbs should rise enough to be retrieved. Don't pull the garlic up by the tops - that will pull the tops off and rot can enter the bulbs from the damaged area!

Lay the harvested garlic on the ground to cure. If you are having cloudless days, keep the garlic in the shade. After a week or so, you can rub the dirt off and store. The tops can be cut off, leaving an inch or two of stem. Some people like to braid garlic tops for a more ornamental look, and in that case, of course, leave the tops on.

: )

09-04-2009, 10:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady 's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,396,451 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Harvesting Tips... Garlic... Plant garlic in the Fall, and harvest them in June! For the last two weeks before you harvest, keep the garlic fairly dry to prevent the bulb from splitting. The tops will begin to droop and turn brown. At this point, bend them down to the ground. After the tops have dried out you can begin harvesting. The easiest method is to push a spading fork as deep as you can, straight down about 6" from the garlic. Lift gently, and the bulbs should rise enough to be retrieved. Don't pull the garlic up by the tops - that will pull the tops off and rot can enter the bulbs from the damaged area! Lay the harvested garlic on the ground to cure. If you are having cloudless days, keep the garlic in the shade. After a week or so, you can rub the dirt off and store. The tops can be cut off, leaving an inch or two of stem. Some people like to braid garlic tops for a more ornamental look, and in that case, of course, leave the tops on. : )