How to Determine the Perfect Time to Harvest Garlic

Growing garlic is a long, but rewarding experience.  Knowing when to harvest garlic is one of the most important steps. Most likely, you planted your seed garlic last year in the fall, around October, and have waited patiently during this long growing season for your garlic harvest time the following summer.  Harvesting garlic at the right time ensures you get the best flavor and longest storage time from your bulbs. In this blog post, we will go over how to determine when your garlic is ready and provide some tips for a successful harvest.

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We started a garlic farm on our property a couple of years ago. During this time, we have been working on growing the size of our crop and plan to start selling garlic at the end of 2025. After we purchased our first garlic seed, our garlic education started. It has been quite an adventure, from preparing land that has never been farmed to figuring out the best systems for planting, growing, harvesting, and storing garlic. Every step of the way has been a learning process to produce the best and biggest bulbs.

There are two types of garlic to grow: hardneck and softneck.  To learn more about the differences, read my blog post,  Garlic – Hardneck vs. Softneck, The Best Type for Your Garden.

There are 3 garlic harvests that can be done.  They are as follows:

1st garlic harvest or Spring Garlic:  The first garlic can be done in the early spring when the stalks are about one foot tall.  The garlic at this time will be milder and taste like a cross between garlic and onion.  This harvest is a great time to thin out your garlic crop from plants growing too close together.

2nd Garlic Harvest or Garlic Scapes:  This usually happens in June with hardneck varieties.  The garlic plants will grow a flower stalk (garlic scape).  Once the garlic scape has made one to two full curlicues it is time to cut the scapes off to direct the growing energy to the bulb.  This will help grow bigger bulbs.To learn more about garlic scapes, read my blog post, Garlic Scapes – The Hidden Gem of Your Garlic Harvest.

👉 Don’t let those garlic scapes go to waste—my preserving guide walks you through pickling, freezing, and flavor-saving tips that actually work.

3rd Garlic Harvest or Garlic Bulb Harvest:  This is the final harvest of your garlic, the one garlic growers wait for.  Finally, the long wait will be over, and it will be time to harvest your garlic bulbs and prepare them for long-term storage.

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Hardneck Garlic

Hardneck Garlic Characteristics:

• Produces a flowering stalk called a scape.
• Cloves are larger and fewer per bulb.
• Better suited for growing in cooler climates.

Indicators for Harvesting Mature Hardneck Garlic

1. Leaf Condition: One of the primary signs that garlic is ready to harvest is the condition of the leaves. Garlic leaves start to yellow and brown from the bottom up. When about 50% of the leaves have turned yellow or brown, it’s typically time to harvest. Each leaf is a bulb wrapper, after curing and cleaning you will want three wrappers for good storage.
2. Bulb Size: If you are not sure, you can carefully dig up one or two bulbs to check their size. They should be large bulbs that have well-formed shoulders and be firm. The cloves should be distinct and fully developed. Underdeveloped bulbs will remind you of green onions.
3. Time of Year: Depending on when you planted your garlic, harvest time usually falls in mid to late summer. For fall-planted garlic, this is typically from late June to August.
4. Flower Stalks (Scapes): If you grow hardneck garlic, the appearance of garlic scapes (the flowering stalks) is a sign that the bulbs are maturing.  Garlic will be ready to harvest in 3-4 weeks once the scapes have appeared.  If you did not cut the scapes, the scapes will be straight and no longer curled.

Softneck Garlic

Softneck Garlic Characteristics:

• Does not produce scapes.
• Cloves are smaller and more numerous per bulb.
• Better suited for growing in warm climates.
• Generally sold at the grocery store.
• Have the longest storage time.

Indicators for Harvesting Mature Softneck Garlic

1. Leaf Condition: Just like hardneck garlic, one of the primary signs that garlic is ready to harvest is the condition of the leaves. Garlic’s green leaves start to yellow and brown from the bottom up. When about 50% of the leaves have turned yellow or brown, it’s typically time to harvest.  
2. Bulb Size: If you’re unsure, it is a good idea to carefully dig up one or two bulbs to check their size.  A mature bulb should be well-formed and firm. The bulb will have individual cloves that should be distinct and fully developed.
3. Time of Year: Depending on when you planted your garlic, harvest time usually falls in mid to late summer. For fall-planted garlic, this normally occurs from late June to August.
4. Flower Stalks (Scapes): Softneck garlic does not grow flower stalks, so this will not be an indicator.

Steps & Tips for When to Harvest Garlic – Hardneck and Softneck

1. Wait for Dry Weather Conditions:  Stop watering your garlic one to two weeks before harvesting garlic to make sure the soil has dried out.  This will make the harvest easier and reduce the risk of mold. Harvest on a dry day.
2. Loosen the Soil: Use a garden fork or spade to loosen the soil around the bulbs carefully to avoid bruising during the harvest. Softneck garlic can sometimes be more tightly packed in the soil, so take care not to damage the bulbs. Bruising the bulbs during harvest may reduce their storage time.
3. Lift the Bulbs: Gently pull the garlic bulbs from the soil by grasping the base of the stems.
4. Do not leave in the Sun:  Once the bulbs have been harvested, they should not be left in the sun.  Move the harvested garlic into the shade right away.
5. Cure and Store: Lay the bulbs out in a single layer in a dry place that is shaded and well-ventilated for curing, which takes about 2-3 weeks. Trim the roots and cut the stems to about 1 inch above the bulb.  Softneck garlic stems are suited for braiding, so do not cut the softneck garlic stems if you plan to braid them for storage.  Harneck garlic stems are too rigid to braid.

The same patience that goes into curing garlic applies to onions too — harvesting and curing onions for long-term storage follows a similar process and is worth reading if you grow both

Timing is crucial when it comes to harvesting garlic. If you wait too long, the bulbs may start to split open or rot in the ground. On the other hand, harvesting too early can result in underdeveloped cloves that won’t store well. It’s important to strike a balance between waiting for the bulbs to fully mature and avoiding leaving them in the ground too long.

Consequences of Late Harvesting

1. Split Bulbs: One of the most common issues with late harvesting is that the bulbs can begin to split apart. As the cloves grow larger, the protective papery skin that covers the bulb can crack and separate. This not only affects the appearance of the garlic but also reduces its shelf life because the cloves are more exposed to air and moisture.  These bulbs will not have tight, firm wrappers needed for long storage.

1. Tough Skins: The outer layers of the bulb can become very tough and leathery. This can make the garlic harder to peel and less appealing in texture.
2. Reduced Storage Life: Overmature garlic bulbs tend to store poorly. Because they have already passed their peak maturity, the cloves may start to sprout or rot more quickly. Split and damaged bulbs are particularly prone to mold and decay.
3. Flavor Changes: Garlic’s flavor can change if left in the ground too long. Overmature garlic might have a stronger, more pungent taste, which can be undesirable for some recipes.
4. Root Growth: If garlic is left in the ground too long, it may start to develop new garlic roots. This new growth can signal the beginning of the bulb’s next growth cycle, which affects the texture and storage capabilities of the garlic.
5. Difficulty in Harvesting: As garlic continues to grow, it may become more deeply embedded in the soil, making it harder to harvest without damaging the bulbs.

Growing your own garlic is a good thing that will bring you gardening pride. Your well-cured garlic bulbs can be split to plant the individual cloves in the fall for your next garlic crop. Planting your own homegrown garlic will produce a never ending supply of garlic year after year!  With these tips and knowing when the best time is to harvest your garlic bulbs will ensure that you get long-lasting, flavorful garlic from your home garden.

For more garden growing and harvesting guides, browse the Garden Problems & Fixes hub. 

More Garlic Ideas!

• Secrets How to Grow the Largest and Best Garlic
• How to Make Garlic Scape Pesto
• Garlic Scape Hummus is another seasonal treat
• Garlic Scape Vinaigrette Dressing – A Farm-to-Table Recipe

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