GARLIC

Garlic –
Hardneck,
Softneck,
Elephant,

Harvesting garlic scapes –

  • In spring (April/May), a central flower stalk appears. This is called the scape, and it’s a tasty early product of hardneck garlic.

  • After the scape has begun to curl over the top of the plant, grasp it where it emerges from the central whorl of leaves

  • Snap or cut the scape off

  • Timely scape removal redirects the plant’s resources to the bulb below ground

Harvesting garlic bulbs –

  • Begin harvest when roughly half the leaves have died back and turned brown

  • Grasp the stem near the base of the plant and pull the entire plant out of the soil

  • If necessary, gently loosen the soil around the bulb

  • Do not dig garlic out with a shovel, as this can inadvertently damage the bulbs

  • Don’t harvest garlic just after its rained, as the wet soil will make the garlic harder to pull

  • Late June – mid-July

Storing garlic bulbs –

  1. Garlic Bulb Storage: Garlic can be used fresh (uncured), but won’t store for longer than a couple weeks. Cured  garlic can be stored in a cool, dark, dry place for 4-6 months.

Curing garlic bulbs –

  • Curing garlic lets garlic cloves air out their water content. Once garlic cloves are dry enough for long-term storage, the protective outer laters will turn papery and the cloves can be split apart.

  • Don’t wash garlic before your cure it, as this adds unwanted moisture

    • Store freshly harvested garlic in a hot, dry, dark, and well-ventilated place for a few weeks, using fans to increase air circulation if humidity is especially high.

      • Don’t pile bulbs on top of each other: this prevents air circulation

        1. Direct sunlight can also sunburn your garlic

    • Once cured, trim off the roots to 1/4″ and the neck (stem) to 1-3″, then store in cool, dry, dark conditions: ideally 32-41 ℉, 65 –70% humidity. Hardneck garlic (the type we grow) will last 4-6 months if cured properly.

Cooking with garlic bulbs –

  1. Garlic Shrimp: Sauté shrimp in a pan with minced garlic, butter, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs like parsley or cilantro. Serve over rice or with crusty bread for a quick and tasty seafood dish.

  2. Garlic Butter Green Beans: Sauté trimmed green beans in a pan with minced garlic and butter until they are crisp-tender. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice for a simple and flavorful side dish.

  3. Garlic Bread: Spread a mixture of minced garlic, butter, and herbs like parsley onto slices of bread. Toast in the oven until golden and fragrant. Serve as a delicious accompaniment to pasta dishes or soups.

  4. Garlic and Herb Marinade: Combine minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and a variety of herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano. Use the marinade to marinate chicken, beef, or vegetables for added flavor before grilling or roasting.

  5. Garlic Roasted Potatoes: Toss diced potatoes with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Roast in the oven until golden and crispy for a flavorful and comforting side dish.