Garlic is supposed to be ready to harvest when the bottom three leaves have turned brown. I’ve been watching closely since I noticed the leaves were turning brown. Usually, for us at least, the garlic will make scapes, I will cut them, and within a couple of weeks, the bottom leaves will start to turn brown. The last year we grew garlic in Texas, it never produced scapes – not a single scape. I wasn’t paying attention – just waiting for the scapes. The bottom leaves never turned brown . . I was still waiting for a sign and didn’t get one. By the time I realized . . something isn’t right here, a lot of the garlic had started to rot. It was weird. So, I’m a bit paranoid now about checking the garlic and making sure it doesn’t stay in the ground too long.
Last week, I started pulling out a stalk every few days. I’d roast the garlic or chop it and use it in a recipe and testing it to see when I thought it was ready. I had hoped to get it all pulled out and get the okra planted in that bed by June 1.
Yesterday I decided it was time so I pulled it all out.
That’s 70 or 75 bulbs of garlic.
It’s now drying on a rack and, depending on the humidity, it should dry 3 to 4 weeks. I may end up having to move it into the garage downstairs if it stays too humid. Last night at midnight, it was 70 degrees and the humidity was 81%.
I’ll save probably about 10 or 12 of the bulbs to plant next year. I may decide to plant both the 4 x 8 bed that I used this year and one of the new planters. If I do that, I’ll save probably 14 bulbs, depending on how many cloves I’m finding in each bulb. Nothing like fresh garlic!