Garlic can be rewarding to grow, but how do you know when to harvest? Listed here are the signals to watch for to ensure you get the biggest bulbs with enough wrappers for maximum storage.
Garlic Bulb Growth
Garlic bulbs undergo a gradual growing process — from planting individual cloves, turning into green garlic in the spring, to developing into mature bulbs. The time it takes from planting to harvest depends on your location, weather, and when you planted. Typically, garlic takes 8–10 months to mature into full bulbs, with 9 months being the average across most of the United States. Most gardeners harvest garlic from late June to early July.
Signs Garlic Harvest Is Near
To determine if your garlic bulbs are ready for harvest, keep an eye out for the following signs:
Leaves Dying at the Bottom
The leaves will start to turn brown, dry out, and lie on the ground at the bottom of the plant. Watch for 40%–50% of the leaves to fall to the ground — each leaf indicates a wrapper around the bulb. The remaining green leaves will still be intact as wrappers around the garlic. Harvesting too early may result in underdeveloped bulbs, while waiting too long can lead to cloves splitting and reduced storage life.
Stiff Stem (Scape) in Hardneck Varieties
The garlic stem, or scape, will become stiff and start to curl. Once the scape has turned into a complete circle, remove it. Leaving the scape on the plant will divert energy to the flower rather than bulb growth and final development. If left on, the scape will straighten again and produce a flower. The scape can be used as a mild garlic substitute — or made into a wonderful pesto — once removed.
Bulb Size
If you're still unsure about when to harvest, check bulb size by gently removing the dirt from the base of the plant without disturbing the roots or pulling the garlic from the ground. Garlic bulbs should be plump and filled out. If the garlic isn't ready, replace the soil and allow it to continue growing.
Harvesting Garlic Bulbs
Dig each bulb out carefully, taking care not to break the stalk (leaves) from the bulb. If you wait too long, the garlic will begin to split in the ground, which reduces storage life. All varieties store differently — hardnecks typically store 4–6 months, while softnecks can store 6–10+ months when properly cured.
Loosening Soil
Use a garden fork or shovel to gently loosen the soil around the garlic bulbs, taking care not to damage them. Insert the tool a few inches away from the bulbs to avoid accidental cuts or punctures.
Lifting Bulbs
Grab the garlic stem close to the base and lift the bulbs out of the ground. Avoid pulling the plants solely by the stem, as this can detach the bulbs from the stalk. Once harvested, move garlic out of the sun as quickly as possible and place it in a dry, shady, well-ventilated space to cure.
Curing
Gently remove as much dirt as possible without washing the garlic — water can encourage bulb rot. Tie garlic in bundles of 6–10 bulbs, or lay garlic flat on racks to allow airflow around the bulbs. Allow garlic to dry or "cure" for 3–6 weeks before cleaning. Don't forget to label your garlic if you have multiple varieties!
Cleaning and Storage
Once the bulbs are cured, trim off the roots and stems. The outer wrapper should come off easily when running your hands over the outside of the bulb. Leave as many wrappers on the garlic as possible for optimal storage. Place garlic in mesh bags — such as an old orange or onion bag — so it can continue to breathe. Do not store garlic in plastic or in the refrigerator. Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from heat. Instead, store in a cool, dark space such as a pantry or basement for long-term storage.
💡 Exception: If you live in a warm climate and need to simulate winter conditions before planting, refrigerating your seed garlic intentionally is called vernalization. Learn more about vernalization here.