Preserving garlic

[lazy gardener]

Sounds awesome. Thanks.

 

[Arielle2]

Great thread even if older. Have a whole bed of garlic growing-- will need a way to preserve much of it before replanting for NEXT year.

LG where are you??

 

[ThreeOfSeven]

What did you end up doing @Arielle2 ? I planted 2 beds of garlic plus some shallots last fall. Decided to try to preserve some garlic, and jarred them with boiling vinegar. Haven't tried it yet.

 

[Arielle2]

Bed did great!!! Kept fertilizing with rabbit manure and ashes, maybe needed more N than I put on.

Harvested the whole bed in mid AUgust. A bit of work and all the effort to keep varieties marked was less than useful. Pulled out each row and labeled row number so hoping to verify variety based on that.

Hung scapes to dry and hold until planting again.... which is NOW.

Hung the bulbs tied together as braining hardnecks is very difficult and not worth the effort. Hung from rafters of old chicken coop. THen cut off tops just at top of bulb and bagged with corresponding row number.

OMG, fresh garlic is richer in flavor. Some VERY hot. Eager to keep trying different varieties.

Need to ID to use up those with the shortest shelf life. Not sure how to store other than peel and freeze cloves.

THe p ickled garlic sounds like a great method!! If you try them and like them be sure to post the recipe.

 

[Arielle2]

I have wondered about planting shallots in the fall.... only because I never did plant the package I bought midsummer. DId fall planting work for you??

 

[ThreeOfSeven]

I did shallots for the first time. Planted them last fall, and harvested them about the same time as my garlic. Got a pretty decent crop.

 

[Arielle2]

ok, I will definitely put some in!!

Actually, there is room at the end of the second garlic bed.

Im a bit worried the cloves are too closely set, more like 5 x 5 inches for each. Can only wait and see. Layered a good 2 -3 inches of compost on before planting. ANd need to dig into more about how to fertilize and water.

I need to find my original slip but guessing 12 varieties are in.

Looked at the Filiree garlic catalog and boy, there are so sooo many different garlics!!!

 

[Cazook]

be aware that garlic preserved in oil and kept in the fridge is only safe to eat for maximum 5 days. this is due to the risk of botulism (high water content in fresh garlic + low oxygen content of oil = perfect for botulism growth)

safer is freezing chopped garlic or pickling it.

 

[Arielle2]

Thanks for the reminder. Storage in oil is too risky for me.

My method of preservation was freezing. Broke apart bulbs and froze in plastic jars with screw on lids. Peeling is much easier upon thawing.

Forgot that extra garlic planted in the garden in the woods.....didnt get harvested. Plants are rather tightly packed....... not sure if I should just leave alone or replant........

 

[Folly's place]

I peel the garlic cloves and then freeze them; good either way.
Mary