A long awaited harvest!
Harvesting hardneck garlic in zone 3 requires some careful timing and attention to detail. It remains in the soil for almost 10 months of the year, so it is truly a waiting game, with a small window for harvesting. Here are some instructions for harvesting your hardneck garlic:
Monitor the garlic plants. Keep an eye on your garlic plants as the summer progresses. As the bulbs mature, the leaves will start to turn yellow and dry out. This is a sign that the garlic is ready to be harvested.
Test the bulbs. Test a few bulbs by digging them up with a garden fork or shovel. The bulbs should be fully formed with tight skins and large cloves. If the bulbs are still small or the skins are loose, leave the garlic in the ground for a few more days before testing again.
Choose the right time. The best time to harvest hardneck garlic is when about half of the leaves have turned yellow or brown. This is usually in mid to late summer, around July or August in zone 3 Alberta.
Harvest carefully. Use a fork or shovel to loosen the soil around the garlic bulb before pulling it up. Be careful not to damage the bulb or the stem, as this can reduce storage life.
Dry the garlic. After harvesting, shake off any excess soil and allow the garlic to dry for several weeks in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area. Hang the garlic in bunches or lay it out on a screen or rack to allow air to circulate around the bulbs.
Store the garlic. Once the garlic is fully dry, trim off the roots and stems and brush off any remaining soil. Store the garlic bulbs in a cool, dry place with good air circulation, such as a basement or pantry. Avoid storing the garlic in the refrigerator or in an area with high humidity.
Now enjoy your long awaited and hard earned harvest!
