Ready to harvest your garlic? If the top two leaves of your hardneck garlic stalks have turned brown it’s time to dig them up.

To avoid damaging the garlic bulbs, we use a decent sized trowel and place it in the ground about three inches from the garlic plant’s stalk. With a gentle tug, we pull up on the stalk while simultaneously tilting the trowel back and allowing the bulb to pop free.

Don’t wash the bulbs, just knock off any large clumps of soil. Place the harvested garlic in a single layer or hang them in small bundles. They need a warm but shaded spot that is well-ventilated. A covered porch, shed, or garage are ideal.

Once the stems and roots are entirely brown and crisp, the garlic is ready to be trimmed. Cut the stems about one to two inches above the bulb and trim the roots to about 1/4 inch.

Store the cured bulbs in a cool, dark, and dry location with good air circulation (typically a mesh bag). Hardneck garlic can be stored for two to four months, but in the right conditions it may last longer.

Happy Harvesting!