As we move toward garlic harvest season, there are some important factors to keep in mind that will help determine the best time to harvest.
Harvest timing is very important in preventing post-harvest diseases. Garlic should be harvested with five to six green leaves and before the cloves start to pull away from the stem. Green leaves correspond to the wrapper leaves around the cloves which protect them from light, moisture, and heat during storage. As the wrapper leaves start to deteriorate, the cloves will continue to grow and pull away from the stem causing the bulb to split open. Besides being unmarketable in this condition, exposed cloves make for poor storability.
Check out Perennia’s new “Garlic Storage, Post-Harvest Diseases, and Planting Stock Considerations” factsheet for more information.
