I planted garlic for the first time last October, knowing absolutely nothing about growing garlic. Since it takes months to mature, I had time to research. Recently, I researched when to harvest garlic to ensure that I didn't wait too long or harvest too early.
The problem was the contradictory, inconsistent info I found online. No one seemed to agree on any aspect of harvesting garlic! I read harvest when two bottom leaves turn brown, when three leaves turn brown, when at least four leaves have turned brown, when a third of the leaves have turned brown.
Then I began to notice my garlic stalks were starting to lean over, which alarmed me, but I couldn't find anything about “leaning” garlic. Two or three leaves were dead looking on the bottom of the plants and there were yellow streaks on some remaining leaves, and now it was leaning. I decided to harvest.
I harvested it yesterday, not knowing if I was doing the right thing, or not. Many of the bulbs were simply enormous compared to what I get at the store, but I don't even know if that's necessarily a good sign. I know it needs to be cured, but I can't find a definite answer to how long curing takes.
Is there any way to tell by looking at this garlic if I harvested at the right time? Aside from being really dirty, it looks and smells like garlic and looks good to my inexperienced eyes. It's just frustrating to be so uncertain about when to harvest, then to harvest it and still not feel confident you did the right thing.
In case it matters, it is California Softneck Garlic from Country Creek. There's also a California Early Softneck, but I'm not sure if this is the same thing. I did harvest it earlier than I anticipated since I expected it to take 9 months, and it hasn't been nearly that long, another reason I worry.
I need an experienced garlic guru who knows what the heck they're doing when it comes to growing garlic. Please! And thank you!
The problem was the contradictory, inconsistent info I found online. No one seemed to agree on any aspect of harvesting garlic! I read harvest when two bottom leaves turn brown, when three leaves turn brown, when at least four leaves have turned brown, when a third of the leaves have turned brown.
Then I began to notice my garlic stalks were starting to lean over, which alarmed me, but I couldn't find anything about “leaning” garlic. Two or three leaves were dead looking on the bottom of the plants and there were yellow streaks on some remaining leaves, and now it was leaning. I decided to harvest.
I harvested it yesterday, not knowing if I was doing the right thing, or not. Many of the bulbs were simply enormous compared to what I get at the store, but I don't even know if that's necessarily a good sign. I know it needs to be cured, but I can't find a definite answer to how long curing takes.
Is there any way to tell by looking at this garlic if I harvested at the right time? Aside from being really dirty, it looks and smells like garlic and looks good to my inexperienced eyes. It's just frustrating to be so uncertain about when to harvest, then to harvest it and still not feel confident you did the right thing.
In case it matters, it is California Softneck Garlic from Country Creek. There's also a California Early Softneck, but I'm not sure if this is the same thing. I did harvest it earlier than I anticipated since I expected it to take 9 months, and it hasn't been nearly that long, another reason I worry.
I need an experienced garlic guru who knows what the heck they're doing when it comes to growing garlic. Please! And thank you!
