Planting garlic was a piece of cake. However, many hobby gardeners are a little at a loss as to the right harvest. We explain what you should pay attention to.

The perfect time is visible

Winter garlic can usually be harvested a little earlier than summer garlic. This is understandable given the longer residence time in the soil. However, there is no fixed schedule. Mother Nature still has a say.

Anyone who keeps an eye on their garlic will recognize the undoubted state of maturity of the plant from the following attributes:

  • the foliage above has withered
  • single cloves of garlic peek out of the ground

How long the seedlings have been in the ground is of secondary importance in this regard. Healthy garlic can easily thrive in the garden for a year or two before fully ripening. If the plant presents the desired habit, it is harvested - not earlier and not much later.

Harvest in just a few simple steps

Tools are not required for harvesting garlic. You simply grab the leaves with your hands and pull the tuber out of the ground. Alternatively, loosen the soil a little with the digging fork beforehand.

The aroma benefits from a few days of post-ripening. To do this, spread the harvest out in a dark, dry and airy place. Before you process the garlic bulbs, first cut off the leaves.

Proper peeling after harvest

If you give the freshly harvested garlic a time to ripen, its appetizing aroma will spread throughout the house. What could be more obvious than using it right away in the kitchen to prepare delicious dishes? If it wasn't for the annoying peeling.

How to peel fresh garlic in no time:

  • Cut off the tips of the toes 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 crop yield

Anyone who grows garlic themselves naturally strives for the richest possible yield. For this reason, experienced hobby gardeners remove the flowers on their plants. Garlic invests a lot of energy in their development, which is then not available for the growth of the cloves.

In addition, the gourmet gardeners are firmly convinced that garlic without flowers has a more delicate aroma. However, in this case there is no material available for propagation in the form of seeds.

tips and tricks

You can effectively prevent the universally dreaded garlic flag. After eating, 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.

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Care tips