The Ultimate Guide to Harvesting and Storing Seed Garlic for Planting

If you’re like me and go through garlic like it’s going out of style, it’s a smart move to reserve some garden space for growing your own bulbs. And why stop there? Plant a few extra cloves with the sole purpose of saving and planting them the following fall. It’s a rewarding process that leads to a continuous cycle of flavorful garlic in your meals.

As you grow your garlic, you’ll come across varieties that tickle your taste buds and disappoint you a little. It’s all part of the fun! You get to choose which ones to continue growing and which ones to roast up for a different culinary adventure. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or venturing into the world of Allium sativum for the first time, saving cloves for planting is a simple process that we’ll guide you through step by step.

What You’ll Learn

• Harvesting Garlic for Future Planting
• Curing
• Storage Conditions
• Storage Container Options
• How Long to Store Seed Garlic

Are you ready to unearth those bulbs and start the journey to a garlic-filled future?

Harvesting Garlic for Future Planting

The first step in storing seed garlic is getting your hands dirty and harvesting those bulbs. Wait until they mature, then gently dig them out with a garden fork or knife. Be cautious not to damage the bulbs during this process. If any bulbs get bruised or punctured, set them aside for immediate use in your cooking.

When harvesting softneck varieties, handle them with extra care as their necks are not as sturdy as hardneck types. Make sure to keep the greens attached to the bulbs for storage.

After harvesting, gently brush off any loose dirt on the heads. Don’t worry if some dirt remains, as it will dry off during the curing process.

Curing

Before you store your garlic bulbs, they need to be cured for at least three weeks, but preferably up to six weeks. Lay out the freshly harvested bulbs in a cool area with good air circulation. Allow them to dry out and shrink a bit before moving on to the next step.

Trim off the roots near the base and secure bundles of garlic plants together. You can braid the leaves or use rubber bands, twine, or rope to tie them. Hang the bundles in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight for up to six weeks until the skin is dry and wrinkled.

After curing, remove any remaining roots and leafy tops from the bulbs, and brush off any dirt that may still be clinging to them.

Storage Conditions

The temperature plays a crucial role in how long your seed garlic will last in storage. Bulbs stored in a dry, unheated room with a temperature between 47 to 65°F will typically last long enough to be planted.

Avoid storing your seed garlic in temperatures below 47°F or above 65°F, as these conditions may cause premature sprouting or shorten the lifespan of the bulbs. Keep the storage area dry with a relative humidity below 50 percent.

Storage Container Options

When it comes to storage containers, brown paper bags, butcher paper, or cardboard boxes are ideal materials to use. Place a few cured bulbs in each bag or layer them in cardboard boxes with some space between the layers.

Ensure proper air circulation by leaving some space between the bulbs when storing them. Avoid using plastic or airtight containers that could trap moisture and cause the bulbs to rot.

How Long to Store Seed Garlic

Most garlic bulbs will last about six months in storage, with some varieties capable of lasting up to a year under the right conditions. Hardneck varieties like ‘German White’ and ‘Persian Star’ can last up to six months, while ‘Chesnok Red,’ ‘Creole,’ ‘Georgian Crystal,’ ‘Porcelain,’ ‘Romanian Red,’ and ‘Thermadrone’ types can last up to a year.

When you’re ready to plant your seed stock, remove the bulbs from storage, peel off the outer paper, and separate the cloves inside each bulb while leaving their individual wrappings intact.

Garlic is a versatile plant that offers endless possibilities. From harvesting scapes to propagating from bulbils, there’s always something new to learn and experiment with. So, what types of garlic are you growing, and how do you plan to use them? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

Garlic is a rewarding plant to grow and harvest, and with these tips on how to store seed garlic for planting, you can ensure a continuous supply of flavorful bulbs for your future culinary adventures. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to enjoy the fruits of your garlic-growing labor!