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Terms of harvesting and storage of spring garlic
Harvesting spring garlic is an important step in growing this crop. If it is wrong to remove the crop from the garden or not follow the technology of preparation for storage, then the fruits will quickly deteriorate.
Timing of harvesting spring garlic
You need to harvest summer garlic later than winter garlic. Depending on the region of cultivation, the period can stretch from early August to mid-September. The heads ripen in 120 days.
If you choose the right timing for harvesting spring garlic, you can keep it fresh and juicy until spring.
The readiness of garlic for harvesting can be judged by the following signs:
- the tops lie down and turn yellow;
- the cloves can be easily separated without the help of tools at hand;
- the heads are covered with 3 layers of scales;
- the husk takes on a shade characteristic of the variety.
If the summer is rainy, then the garlic ripens faster. Dry and hot weather slows down this process, so it is better to be guided not by the timing, but by the appearance of the heads.
Storing spring garlic after harvest
To keep the heads fresh throughout the winter, you need to properly prepare them for storage. It is better to dry the garlic in direct sunlight directly on the garden bed or on wooden flooring. Place the heads indoors or cover with plastic wrap at night.
If the weather is damp outside, dry the garlic in dryers at an air temperature of up to 40 ˚С. The process takes up to 2 weeks. Before putting the garlic in storage, be sure to remove the roots, leaves and cut the stem, leaving a piece up to 4 cm in height. Sort out large and small heads. Large ones last longer.
Storage advice:
- The room where the garlic will be located should have good air circulation. Humidity above 80% must not be allowed. Optimum rates are 50-60%.
- Garlic is stored for a long time in a room where the air temperature does not rise above 2-4 ˚С or is at 20˚С.
- You can put the garlic in nets, nylon stockings, baskets or wooden boxes, but the heads are best kept in woven wreaths, braids or bunches. It is undesirable to store in plastic and glass containers, but it is possible with sufficient air circulation.
If the humidity in the room where the garlic is located, you need to take action immediately. Place a container with coarse salt there, it will absorb excess moisture.
When harvesting spring garlic, pay attention to its appearance. Remove rotten or damaged heads immediately, otherwise they will destroy the entire crop. You do not need to trim the stem before drying. It protects garlic from sunburn.