When to Harvest Garlic (How to Tell When It’s Ready and the Right Way to Pick It)

Knowing when to harvest garlic is important if you want big, healthy bulbs that store well. If you pick it too early, the cloves may be small and not fully formed.

If you wait too long, the bulbs can split and won’t last as long in storage. The good news is that there are clear signs to tell when garlic is ready.

In this article, you’ll learn how to check for the right time, the best way to harvest without damage, and what to do after pulling it from the ground.

If you're just getting started, check out our guide on how to plant garlic and discover the best tips for growing and caring for them to ensure a healthy and bountiful harvest.

Signs That Garlic is Ready for Harvest

Harvesting garlic at the right time helps ensure good flavor and long storage life. 

Yellowing Lower Leaves

One of the first clues that garlic is ready to harvest is when the lower leaves start turning yellow.

While the bottom leaves are changing color, the upper leaves will usually stay green. This is a sign that the plant is maturing, but you should still check the bulbs before pulling them out.

Just because the leaves are yellow doesn’t always mean it's time to harvest.

Checking a Test Bulb

Instead of pulling up all your garlic at once, it’s a good idea to dig up one bulb to check if it's ready. A mature garlic bulb will have fully formed cloves wrapped in a protective outer skin.

If the skin is starting to split or the cloves feel loose inside, it might be overripe.

On the other hand, if the bulb is small and the cloves are not fully developed, it’s not ready yet and needs more time in the ground.

Firmness of the Bulb

You can also check the garlic bulb’s firmness to see if it’s ready. Gently squeeze the bulb. A fully mature garlic bulb will feel firm and tight when you squeeze it.

If it feels soft or the cloves feel loose, the garlic may not be fully mature and could need more time to grow before harvesting.

Hardneck Garlic and Scapes

If you’re growing hardneck garlic, another important sign to watch for is the garlic scapes. Scapes are the curly flower stalks that grow from hardneck varieties.

These should be removed to help the garlic bulbs grow larger. Once all the scapes have been cut, the garlic is usually ready to be harvested within the next two weeks.

The Best Time to Harvest Garlic

The right time to harvest garlic depends on the variety, weather, and growing conditions. Here’s how to determine when it’s time to dig up your garlic.

Hardneck vs. Softneck Garlic

The right time to harvest garlic depends on the variety you're growing. Hardneck garlic typically matures in mid to late summer, usually around June to July.

Softneck garlic, on the other hand, takes a little longer to grow and is often ready in late summer or early fall. Instead of relying only on a specific date, it’s important to watch the garlic plants closely.

The plant will give you signs, like the yellowing of the lower leaves or the formation of scapes (curled flower stems) for hardneck varieties, that tell you when it’s time to harvest.

Harvesting in Dry Weather

It’s best to harvest garlic when the soil is dry. Wet soil can make digging up the garlic tricky and can cause damage to the bulbs.

If you try to harvest garlic in soggy conditions, the bulbs could get squashed or bruised, which makes them harder to store.

Additionally, wet garlic is more prone to rot. If you know that heavy rain is coming soon, it might be a good idea to harvest the garlic a bit earlier than planned to avoid the rain’s impact on your bulbs.

Regional Differences

Garlic growing in warmer climates tends to mature faster than garlic in cooler regions.

For example, garlic planted in a hot climate may be ready to harvest earlier, while garlic planted in cooler areas might take longer to mature.

It's helpful to keep track of when you planted your garlic and note how it’s growing.

How to Harvest Garlic Properly

Harvesting garlic is a simple process, but doing it carefully will help you get the best bulbs that last longer.

If you’re not careful, you could damage the garlic, making it harder to store and use later. Follow these easy steps to make sure your garlic harvest is successful.

Loosening the Soil First

Before you pull your garlic from the ground, it’s important to loosen the soil around the bulbs. You can do this by gently using a garden spade or a standing fork.

Insert the tool into the soil a few inches away from the base of the garlic plant, and carefully lift the soil.

This helps prevent the garlic bulbs from getting damaged and makes it easier to pull them out of the ground.

Lifting the Bulbs Carefully

Once the soil is loosened, hold the garlic plant near its base and lift it up slowly and gently. Be careful not to pull on the leaves, as this can cause the stalk to break, which will damage the bulb.

If the garlic is stuck and doesn’t come out easily, use your garden tool to lift it from underneath rather than pulling it out forcefully.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

One of the biggest mistakes when harvesting garlic is pulling it directly from the ground without first loosening the soil.

This can cause the bulbs to snap, bruise, or lose their protective layers. If the garlic gets damaged, it won’t store as well and should be used quickly, rather than kept for later use.

By taking your time to loosen the soil and lift the bulbs carefully, you’ll ensure a better harvest and more garlic to enjoy!

Harvesting Green Garlic (An Early Option)

What is Green Garlic?

Green garlic is simply young garlic that hasn’t fully matured. It looks similar to green onions and has a milder, slightly sweet garlic flavor. Some gardeners choose to harvest a few plants early to use as green garlic before the rest of the crop fully develops.

When to Harvest Green Garlic

Green garlic can be pulled at any stage before the bulbs start to form. Most gardeners harvest it when the stalks are about the thickness of a pencil. At this point, the plant is still tender and can be used in cooking just like green onions.

How to Use Green Garlic

The lower portion of the stalk, including the white and light green parts, is best for cooking. It can be minced and added to sautés, soups, and stir-fries for a fresh garlic flavor. Since green garlic doesn’t store well, it should be used soon after harvesting.

Post-Harvest Handling and Storage

Cleaning Garlic After Harvest

Right after harvesting, gently shake off any loose soil, but avoid washing the bulbs with water. Washing can add moisture that may lead to rot. If needed, use your hands to lightly brush off excess dirt.

Drying and Curing for Long-Term Storage

Freshly harvested garlic needs to cure before it can be stored for long periods. To do this, place the bulbs in a dry, shaded area with good air circulation.

Hang them in bundles or spread them out on a rack. Curing usually takes two to four weeks, depending on humidity levels.

Proper Storage for Fresh Garlic

Once the garlic is fully cured, trim off the roots and cut the stalks down to a few inches. Store the bulbs in a cool, dry place with good airflow.

Mesh bags, baskets, or paper bags work well. Avoid plastic bags, as they trap moisture and can cause garlic to spoil.

For more detailed tips on storing, be sure to check our guide on how to store garlic properly.

Harvesting Garlic with Confidence

Harvesting garlic at the right time is key to getting healthy, flavorful bulbs that store well.

Instead of waiting for all the leaves to dry, check for yellowing lower leaves and dig up a test bulb to see if it’s fully formed. Hardneck garlic growers can also use scapes as a sign that harvest time is near.

Using the right harvesting techniques helps prevent damage to the bulbs, ensuring they last longer in storage.

Loosening the soil first and lifting the bulbs carefully can make a big difference. After harvesting, proper drying and curing will keep your garlic fresh for months.

By following these steps, you can enjoy a successful garlic harvest with high-quality bulbs for cooking and replanting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What happens if I harvest garlic too early or too late?

If garlic is harvested too early, the bulbs may be small and not fully developed. If left in the ground too long, the outer skin may split, making the bulbs more prone to rot and reducing their storage life.

How can I tell if my garlic is fully cured and ready for storage?

Fully cured garlic has dry, papery outer skins and firm bulbs. The stems and roots should be completely dry before trimming and storing. This process usually takes two to four weeks.

Does the harvesting process differ for hardneck and softneck garlic?

The process is mostly the same, but hardneck garlic produces scapes that should be removed before harvest. Softneck garlic takes a little longer to mature and usually has a longer storage life.

Can I replant cloves from the garlic I harvest?

Yes, you can save the best bulbs from your harvest and replant the largest, healthiest cloves in the fall for next season’s crop.

What are common mistakes people make when harvesting garlic?

Common mistakes include pulling garlic straight from the ground without loosening the soil, waiting too long to harvest, washing bulbs with water before curing, and storing garlic in plastic bags, which traps moisture and leads to spoilage.