How to best store garlic: basic rules and tips

Garlic has been well-known to humans since ancient times: it has been used to cook food, treat various diseases, and even to drive out evil spirits. Today, it is an indispensable seasoning in world cuisine. Therefore, it is not surprising that garlic is present in every household.

For those who grow this plant in their gardens or buy it already grown, FoodOboz has prepared some rules and recommendations for harvesting and storing garlic.

How do you know when garlic is fully ripe?

There are several signs that a plant is fully ripe and ready for harvest: its leaves begin to turn noticeably yellow, bend downward, and fall to the ground. However, there is another type of garlic that ripens earlier (around the end of July) – winter garlic. Therefore, its readiness for harvesting can be determined by the following visual signs: the leaves turn completely yellow, and cracks begin to appear on the inflorescences. An important point: to achieve the largest possible bulb size, the arrows should be cut off most plants during the ripening process.

Basic rules for digging and storing garlic

1. Dig up garlic in dry weather. If you have to harvest the plant in wet weather, you can take preventive measures against mold and other diseases. To do this, take 0.5 liters of oil, fry it well for about 2 hours, then add 10 drops of iodine to it and soak the garlic. Dry the plant well in the sun.
2. After digging it up, leave it in the garden for a while so that the soil that sticks to the heads dries well.
3. After the garlic is completely dry, you need to cut off the roots and stems. If you plan to store the garlic in braids, the stems should be left long, otherwise, leave no more than 2 cm.
4. At this stage, the garlic must be sorted out well. If you suddenly come across heads with scratches, dents, cracks, or even those affected by some kind of disease, you should set aside such a plant. If you find a head that is just cut, it is recommended to use it as soon as possible. After all, it can be stored for only 3 to 10 days and quickly deteriorates.

Storage conditions for garlic

In general, garlic is an unpretentious plant to store. A moderately dry room and a relatively humid temperature will keep the condition and general appearance of garlic virtually unchanged. The main points to pay attention to:

• It is best to store garlic in a dark place in open boxes or containers. The storage temperature for winter garlic is from -2 to +2 degrees, while summer garlic can withstand up to +20 degrees.
• If you plan to store garlic in plywood or cardboard boxes, they must have air holes. It is important to observe the neighborhood - garlic should be stored at a distance from other vegetables.

• In a city apartment, it is best to store garlic in glass jars that are thoroughly washed and dried beforehand. In this case, garlic should be placed in whole heads or cloves and not covered with a lid. It can also be stored in a dark place.
• To store garlic in the refrigerator, you need to take the following steps: peel the cloves of the plant, put them tightly in sterilized jars, completely cover them with vegetable oil, and tightly close the lid. The shelf life of such garlic is up to 3 months.