drying garlic

[Peter Smith]

I'm growing a lot of garlic this year and would like to hear the
opinion of experienced growers on the topic of drying the bulbs.

I'm most interested in time recommended and location. In particular,
how do you feel about sun exposure once harvested (eg: A-frame
drying. I heard of someone who did this, but I can't help but think
it would be excessive).

Thanks in advance!

[Adam Finkelstein]

Dry your garlic in a dry, airy, DARK place - like inside an old barn.
Give each plant space so it isn't touching any other.
DO NOT dry garlic in the sun unless you want to ruin it.
I have used both methods and the sun method makes a real mess.
Three weeks to one month in the drying area is sufficient.
Adam
ad...@virginia.edu

[Libby Goldstein]

I just spread mine on a shelf in the kitchen which is dehumidified and cooled by
my house air conditioner. They don't need sun. Once the tops have dried, I remove them and put the garlic in the hydrator of the fridge with my other onions
shallots and stuff.

Before the tops have totally dried you can braid them and then hang the braids.

It sort of all depends on how much garlic you have. If you have a lot, try
spreading it on old screens (out of the sun) outdoors, but if your nights are
damp, bring it all in to keep it from getting moldy.

Libby

[Jane Beckman]

>>I'm growing a lot of garlic this year and would like to hear the
>>opinion of experienced growers on the topic of drying the bulbs.
>>

>Dry your garlic in a dry, airy, DARK place - like inside an old barn.
>Give each plant space so it isn't touching any other.
>DO NOT dry garlic in the sun unless you want to ruin it.

I second "not in the sun," but dark isn't necessary. I hang
the plants by their leaves in our screen room, or one year I
got lazy and just spread them out on top of a box in the same
location, and they dried just fine. The key here is not to
put them in direct sunlight, not to avoid light altogether.

This year, I'm trying elephant garlic. It should be
interesting to see how it compares with the regular stuff
(which I'm also growing). No garden should be without
garlic!

--
Jilara [ja...@swdc.stratus.com]

"Every now and then, a big rock falls out of the sky, and everyone has
a *very bad* day." --from the PBS "Dinosaurs" special.