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Writer's pictureJ Outridge

The Ultimate Guide to Growing and Preserving Hard-neck Garlic - A full blog post by Outrange Homestead

Updated: Sep 24



Last year was my first year growing garlic and as I always tend to do I decided to plant 250 cloves between our 1/2 acre homestead and the family farm. I am a jump-in-with-both-feet kind of gal, and let me tell you how well it paid off this time. Garlic is the cornerstone of countless culinary delights with its powerhouse flavor but it is also a versatile crop that thrives in home gardens and is easy to grow.


From its humble beginning as a tiny clove buried in the soil to its journey through various preservation methods, garlic offers an abundance of culinary possibilities. In this article I will walk you through growing, harvesting and preserving garlic arming you with the knowledge to confidently add garlic to your garden and pantry shelves. Whether you want to enjoy your garlic fresh, fermented, or stored for the long term, this post will cover it all.


Why Plant Hard-neck Garlic


Hard-neck garlic, compared to its soft-neck cousin, thrives in colder climates, making it a great choice for homesteaders in places like Ontario. It also produces scapes-a bonus edible that should be harvested before the garlic bulbs mature. These scapes are wonderful in pesto or stir-fries, offering you two crops in one planting. If you are looking for more recipes for using garlic scapes check these ones out:



When and How to Plant Garlic


The best time to plant hard-neck garlic is in the fall, typically 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes. In Owen Sound, this usually means mid to late October. Hard-neck garlic needs the winter chill to develop its bulbs fully and provide a bountiful harvest the next summer.


  1. Prepare the Soil: Garlic prefers loose, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Work compost or well-rotted manure into your garden beds to give the garlic the nutrients it needs to thrive. Don't remove the skin from the clove either.

  2. Separate the Cloves: Break the garlic bulb into individual cloves, being careful not to damage the base of each clove. Always look for the biggest cloves to plant. Plant the largest cloves for the best harvest. Smaller cloves should be saved to be used in cooking or preserving.

  3. Planting Depth: Plant cloves about 2-3 inches deep, with the pointed end facing up and the flat root side down. Space them about 6" inches apart to allow for proper growth. Garlic loves sunshine, so choose a spot that is full of sun.

  4. Mulch: After planting, cover the bed with a thick layer of mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, to protect the garlic through the winter and suppress weed growth.


Spring Garlic Care


Once spring arrives and the warm weather is finally here again, you'll start to see little green garlic shoots pushing through the mulch. At this point, your garlic will need daily watering but generally speaking, it's fairly hands-off.


  • Water: Make sure the soil stays consistently moist but not waterlogged. The springtime is naturally wet so only start to water when you notice that the ground is dry. Avoid overwatering as it can lead to rot, while underwatering will stunt growth.

  • Weed Control: Weeds compete for nutrients, so keep them at bay to give your garlic the best chance to grow.

  • Fertilizer: Top-dress the plants with compost or a balanced organic fertilizer in early spring to provide nutrients boots. I like to use a fish meal.



One exciting stage in growing hard-neck garlic is harvesting the garlic scapes, which usually happens in early summer. You will notice these from their distinct curly, pig-like tail growing from the center of your garlic stalks. Garlic scapes should be cut off to encourage the plant to put its energy into bulb formation instead of reproducing. The scapes are edible and have a mild garlic flavour, making them perfect for a variety of culinary dishes. If you are looking to learn more about garlic scapes click the link below to read my full article



When and How to Harvest Garlic


Garlic is usually ready to harvest by mid-summer. I always plan to start harvesting 4-6 weeks after I have harvested my garlic scapes. The timing will depend on your local growing conditions, but a good indicator is when the lower leaves of the plant start to yellow and dry up, while the top leaves remain green.


  • Harvesting: Gently dig the ground around your bulbs using a garden fork, or shovel. Take care not to damage the bulb while harvesting.

  • Curing: After harvesting, it is important to let the garlic cure in a dry, airy place for two to three weeks. Hang the bulbs upside down or lay them on a mesh surface, allowing the air to circulate. It's also important to keep them out of direct sunlight while curing.

  • Trimming: Once the garlic has cured, trim off the root hairs on the bottom of your garlic bulbs and trim off the stem. By removing the roots and stem there is less chance of moisture getting into your bulb and causing spoilage.


Long-Term Preservation Methods for Garlic


Once you have harvested and cured your garlic, start thinking about how you want to store and preserve your garlic for the year ahead. Here are some tried-and-trusted methods to ensure your garlic doesn't go to waste:


  1. Honey Fermented Garlic


Honey-fermented garlic is a unique preservation method and a powerful immune-boosting remedy. Eat a clove whenever you feel a sickness coming on or eat one every week as a preventative.


  • How to Prepare: Simply peel garlic cloves and place them in a clean jar. Pour raw honey over the garlic, ensuring all cloves are covered. Cover the jar with a cloth to allow fermentation gasses to escape but to prevent anything from getting in. After a week or so, you should notice small bubbles forming as fermentation begins. Stir the jar occasionally to keep the garlic submerged in the honey.

  • Storage: Store the jar in a cool, dark place, and the garlic will keep months. As a bonus, the honey will become infused with the garlic flavour, perfect for drizzling on roasted vegetables or using in marinades.




2. Pickled Garlic


Pickling garlic is another delicious way to extend its shelf life, and it can be done in just a few steps. These pickled garlic make a great addition to any charcuterie board or on the side of a sandwich. Read my full article with recipe by clicking the link below:






3. Freeze Minced Cubes


Out of all the methods, this one is by far my favorite way to store garlic. Freezing garlic is simple and maintains the garlic flavor and potency and by having it already minced into cubes it's ready to use at your fingertips any time of the year.


  • How to Prepare: Peel the garlic cloves and put them in a food processor. Add 1/2 a cup of your favorite cooking oil for every 1 cup of garlic cloves. Mince on high for about 3 minutes. Everything should be combined and there shouldn't be any whole cloves left. Remove from the food processor and spread in an even layer on a cooking sheet lined with parchment paper. Use a pizza cutter to create lines in the minced garlic where you will break it apart when it is frozen. I like to make mine about 1" inch in size. Once scored place the tray in the freezer until frozen completely, about 24 hours. When frozen stiff, remove from the freezer and break the minced garlic into cubes using the lines you cut as a guide. Be sure to remove the parchment paper as well.

  • Storage: Place your garlic cubes into an air-tight container or bag and store for up to 1 year. When you are ready to use simply pull a cube from the container, there is no need to defrost it. It's perfect for quick access when you need garlic in a pinch.


4. Dry Storage


For those who prefer to store garlic in its natural form, dry storage is simple but must be used within 6 months even when stored in the right conditions.


  • How to Prepare: Once garlic is cured, it needs to be stored in a cool, dry and dark location. Braiding the garlic stalks or placing bulbs in mesh bags allows airflow to prevent mold and is great to extend the shelf life.

  • Storage: In the right conditions, hard-neck garlic will last up to six months. Be sure to check the bulbs regularly and remove any that show signs of spoilage.


In Conclusion


Growing and preserving hard-neck garlic is a rewarding endeavour that can provide you with fresh, flavorful bulbs year-round for little effort. Whether you choose to store your garlic in honey, vinegar or freezing it for the future there's no wrong way to enjoy this versatile crop. By following these simple steps from planting to preservation, you'll be able to enjoy homegrown garlic all year round. You might even find yourself growing enough to share with family and friends.


Happy Growing and preserving!








 

This post serves as a beginner's guide, but if you have more advanced questions or tips, feel free to share them in the comments. What's your favourite way to preserve garlic?

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