Skip to main content

This is when to harvest garlic

For the best results, this is when to take your garlic from the garden

Garlic bulbs and cloves on a table
Congerdesign / Pixabay

Garlic is a wonderful plant to have in any herb or vegetable garden, but waiting for it to be ready to harvest can be a chore. The promise of fresh, delicious garlic is enough to make even experienced gardeners feel impatient, even more so if you aren’t sure when to harvest garlic. This guide will answer all your questions about garlic harvest time, to help you wait as patiently as possible. From when to harvest garlic to how to store your excess, this guide is here to help.

When to harvest garlic

A basket of freshly harvested garlic
1195798 / Pixabay

Garlic is typically ready to harvest in late summer or early fall, typically nine months after planting if you’re growing garlic from seeds. This can vary slightly depending on when you planted your garlic, the weather, and the type of garlic you’re growing, though.

Recommended Videos

A good indicator that your garlic is nearing harvest time is the leaves. Look for yellow or brown discoloration on the lowest leaves of your garlic plant. When these lower or outermost leaves begin to turn color, your garlic is almost ready to be harvested. Wait another two to three weeks after the leaves first begin to change color, to give your garlic cloves time to reach their peak size, then harvest away!

Can you use garlic immediately after harvesting it?

A garlic bulb ready for harvest
NWimagesbySabrinaEickhoff / Pixabay

Yes! You can eat or plant garlic directly after harvesting it. Any cloves that you don’t use soon after harvesting should be cured and stored, but there’s no need to wait to use your garlic. Garlic doesn’t need any special preparation other than peeling before cooking or eating it.

Leave any garlic that you plan to plant as a whole bulb until you’re ready to plant it. Then, peel and separate your garlic into cloves and plant each clove of garlic separately. Each clove will grow into a garlic plant, which is great news if your harvest was small. You can plant only a couple cloves and save the rest for your meals!

Can you leave garlic in the ground too long?

Three garlic bulbs with some garlic cloves next to them
Sahand Babali / Unsplash

Yes, garlic can be in the ground for too long, and you’ll miss out on that season’s harvest. Depending on the weather, your garlic bulbs have a couple of weeks to a couple of months before they split apart. If any of the bulbs break open, they can no longer be stored, meaning you have a limited time to use them. If you leave the garlic in the ground after it splits, some of the cloves may grow new garlic plants. However, there may not be room for all of them to fully develop, so harvesting and replanting the cloves separately is more effective.

How to store excess garlic

A garlic bulb peeled and pulled partly apart, so the cloves are splayed like petals
Michele Blackwell / Unsplash

Garlic is easy to store, and you have two primary options. If the garlic is whole and unpeeled, you can store it in a dry, dark space with good airflow. Keep it at room temperature, and don’t refrigerate it.

If your garlic is already peeled, separated into cloves, or chopped, it needs to be stored in the refrigerator. Place the pieces in a sealed, airtight container such as a jar. Once peeled or chopped, garlic doesn’t stay fresh for long. However, you can extend the storage life of your garlic cloves by pickling them.

Garlic is a delicious vegetable with a plethora of uses, so it’s no wonder that many gardeners want to grow it for themselves. Luckily, garlic is easy to grow, use, and store. Now that you know when to harvest garlic and what to do with your extras, you’re ready to make the most of your garlic harvest. You can even set a few cloves to the side to plant, so you can do it all over again!

Cayla Leonard
Cayla Leonard is a writer from North Carolina who is passionate about plants.  She enjoys reading and writing fiction and…
The ultimate guide to growing ginger hydroponically
Add ginger to your hydroponic garden
Cut ginger on a table

You have your hydroponic garden, and now you're anxiously adding to it and need some hydroponic growing tips for an essential plant you plan to add to your cluster: ginger.

Ginger has been used both culinarily and medicinally for centuries, and it's a key ingredient in many popular Asian dishes. Whether you're a fan of ginger chicken or ginger tea, this plant is useful to have around. It's also quite easy to store, so you don't have to worry about growing too much at once.

Read more
The best vegetables to plant in November
Tips on which vegetables to grow when the temperatures drop
A row of rhubarb stems growing

Some vegetables are more suited to grow in cooler months than others. It all depends on their growing conditions and the kind of environments they prefer. If you want to extend your harvest, the easiest way is to mimic the vegetables' ideal environment indoors. Whether in your home or in a greenhouse, there are plenty of vegetables to plant in November for fresh veggies all winter. Here are a few ideal vegetables to plant in November, but there are many others beyond them if these aren’t up your alley.
Rhubarb

Growing rhubarb in containers during the winter is possible, so long as you have a large enough pot to accommodate the plant. With rhubarb, depth is more important than width (depending on how many you want per pot) because of its large root system. You want to make sure that you select pots or containers that are sturdy, have good drainage, and are at least 20 inches deep. To the same effect, the soil should be designed for good draining to avoid drowning or rotting the plant. A healthy rhubarb could live and produce for up to 10 years if you play your hand right.

Read more
6 types of gourds you should know this fall season
Gourds that add seasonal spirit to your fall garden
A variety of squash types set on a black table

From pumpkins to watermelons, there are many incredible gourds you can grow in your garden. While some gourds are ready to be harvested in summer or winter, fall is the season most often associated with gourds -- and for good reason. Some of the most popular fall decorations are gourds, including pumpkins and many types of squash. What should you do if you want something a little more unusual, though? We have a list of six fun and unique types of gourds you should know about to get you started.
Speckled swan gourds

Speckled swan gourds are a type of calabash or bottle gourd, named for their distinctive shape. With a round base and long, curved neck, they resemble swans when placed upright. Speckled swan gourds are typically dark green with lighter green or cream-colored speckles or markings.

Read more