Many gardeners start digging garlic as soon as they see yellowed leaves. But this is not always the right decision. If you do it too early, the heads will not yet manage to gain full weight. If you are late – the cloves will start to fall apart, and such a harvest will store significantly worse.

How to understand that the ideal time has come?

• The lower leaves have already completely yellowed and dried, and the upper 3–5 leaves still remain green.
• The head has become dense, and the covering scales are dry and strong. For checking it is enough to dig up one plant.
• If you left scapes on several plants, pay attention to them. When they have fully straightened and the shell on the inflorescence has started to crack – this is one of the most accurate signs of winter garlic maturity.
• The cloves are well formed, but still firmly hold together. If they already easily separate – you are a little late.

Why should you not hurry?

While the garlic is ripening, it continues to accumulate nutrients. Exactly in the last days the heads become heavier, more aromatic and better covered with protective scales. Exactly these scales help the harvest last without problems until spring.

After digging do not cut the leaves immediately. Spread the garlic in a dry, well-ventilated place for 10–14 days. During this time the nutrients will still pass from the leaves into the heads, and the harvest itself will finally ripen.

A little patience now — and in winter you will have large, firm and aromatic garlic that will store excellently until the new season.

This material was prepared by the editorial team using artificial intelligence tools. All information has been verified and edited before publication.