When to Harvest Garlic: Leaf Count, Timing, and Curing
Harvest garlic when lower leaves are brown but 4 to 5 upper leaves remain green. Dig a test bulb, then cure it in airy shade for 3 to 4 weeks.
Published · Reviewed by ThriveThyme
garlic harvest fall planting
When to Harvest Garlic
Harvest garlic when the lower leaves have turned brown and dried but about 4 to 5 upper leaves remain green. Dig one test bulb: the cloves should be distinct and fill the wrappers without splitting them. Each green leaf corresponds to a protective wrapper around the bulb, so some green growth should remain at harvest. Fall-planted garlic often reaches this stage in early to midsummer, but the plant is a better guide than the calendar.
Do not wait until all the leaves die. Overripe bulbs split open and store poorly. See the garlic plant page and when to plant garlic by zone.
Timing by Region
- Zone 6 and nearby climates often harvest in June or July, but weather and cultivar can shift the date.
- Colder climates commonly harvest later than warm climates.
- Warm climates growing softneck garlic may harvest in late spring or early summer.
- In every region, confirm timing with leaf dieback and a test bulb rather than the hardiness-zone number alone.
Hardneck types also send up a scape (the curly flower stalk) a few weeks before harvest. Cut scapes when they curl so the plant puts energy into the bulb. Scapes are edible.
If it is August and your garlic is still in the ground with mostly brown leaves, harvest now. If the tops are long gone, dig gently; bulbs may already be splitting.
How to Harvest and Cure
Loosen soil with a fork and lift bulbs. Do not yank by the leaves. Keep the tops attached. Brush off dirt; do not wash. Cure in a warm, dry, shady, airy place for 3 to 4 weeks. When outer wrappers are papery and the neck is tight, trim roots and tops and store around 50 to 60 F.
When to Harvest Spring-Planted Garlic
Spring-planted garlic usually matures later than fall-planted garlic and may make smaller bulbs. Do not harvest solely because a set number of months has passed. Wait for lower-leaf dieback, then dig a test bulb and check that the cloves are distinct and the wrappers are still intact.
Plant the Next Crop in Fall
August is for curing and eating in many climates, not planting. Plant new cloves in fall with enough time to establish roots before the ground freezes. Source firm, disease-free seed garlic from a reputable grower; supermarket garlic may be poorly adapted to your climate and is not sold with the same plant-health assurances.
Next Steps
When lower leaves are brown and 4 to 5 upper leaves remain green, dig a test bulb. If the cloves are distinct and the wrappers are intact, harvest the row. Then use when to plant garlic by zone to plan this fall's date.