Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Learn More. Thank you for supporting our garden community.
Garlic Curing Problems: How to Avoid Issues
Garlic is a delicious and versatile ingredient that’s easy to grow at home. But after harvest, there’s one crucial step to ensure your garlic stores well: curing. Unfortunately, incorrect curing can lead to garlic curing problems like mold, rotting, or sprouting.
Garlic Curing Problems: How to Avoid Issues
This post will teach you how to store your homegrown garlic for a long time. You’ll learn how to spot common problems that can happen during garlic curing, like mold or sprouting.
This post also provides tips to avoid these problems and create the perfect environment to cure your garlic cloves. By following these steps, you can enjoy fresh garlic for months to come!
Common Garlic Curing Problems
- Mold: Moldy garlic is inedible and should be discarded. Mold growth often occurs due to high humidity during curing.
- Rotting: Soft or mushy garlic is a sign of rot. This can happen if the garlic wasn’t dried properly before curing, or if the storage environment is too humid.
- Sprouting: Garlic cloves that sprout prematurely won’t store well and may taste bitter. This can happen if the storage temperature fluctuates.
How to Avoid Garlic Curing Problems
- Proper Drying: Before curing, allow the freshly harvested garlic to dry for a few days in a cool, shady area with good air circulation. Brush off any loose dirt but avoid washing.
- Temperature and Humidity: Choose a curing location with good air circulation, cool temperatures, and low humidity (around 60% is ideal). A garage, shed, or airy attic space can work well.
- Light: Keep garlic out of direct sunlight during curing. Sunlight can cause the cloves to dry out too quickly and lose flavor.
Tips for Successful Garlic Curing
- Leave the stem and roots on: These help the bulb cure properly. Trim them to about an inch after curing is complete.
- Monitor the garlic: Check on your garlic regularly during curing. If the room feels too humid, increase air circulation with a fan.
- Curing time: The curing process typically takes 2-4 weeks. The garlic is cured when the tops and roots are completely dry and brittle.
If you want to learn more, check out my YouTube video about curing garlic.
Identifying and Addressing Garlic Curing Problems
If you notice mold, rot, or sprouting during curing, it’s important to take action to prevent further spoilage. Here’s what to do:
- Mold: Discard any moldy garlic bulbs. You can try to save nearby bulbs by carefully removing any mold spores with a damp cloth and increasing air circulation around the remaining garlic.
- Rot: Discard any rotten garlic cloves. If rot seems widespread, it may be best to discard the entire bulb.
- Sprouting: You can still use cloves that have begun to sprout, but they may not store as long and may taste bitter.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it’s recommended not to wash garlic before curing. Washing can introduce moisture that can lead to rot or mold growth during curing.
Mold on garlic during curing can happen due to high humidity. Simply increase air circulation around the garlic bulbs using a fan, or hang them to dry in a cooler place.
Usually, garlic should sit out for 2 to 4 weeks after harvesting, or until the skin is completely dry and the roots are brittle.
Products:
For organic, non-GMO garden seeds, check out SeedsNow.
For gardening equipment, check out Bootstrap Farmer.
For organic all-purpose fertilizers, check out Arber.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you can avoid common garlic curing problems and enjoy your homegrown garlic for months to come! Curing is a simple process, but it’s an important step to ensure your garlic harvest stores well. With a little care and attention, you can be enjoying the fresh flavor of homegrown garlic throughout the winter.
If you want to learn more about gardening, foraging, nature, and sustainability, check out The Real Gardener on Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.