Summer’s arrival. Garlics’ departure.

The transformation to summer is complete: Yesterday I harvested the garlic crop.

The signs of summer are everywhere: On the calendar, which tells us that Wednesday was the summer solstice. On outdoor thermometers, which registered record-breaking heat all through the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast yesterday. On the computer, which I’m using to track an approaching line of summer thunderstorms. And, in the garden, where the peppers are fruiting, the monarda is blooming and the sweet potatoes are growing gangbusters.

With summer comes a whole new suite of chores fun things to do in the garden, including the harvesting of the garlic.

It was still well above 90°F when I pulled my 50+ garlic plants yesterday evening. Ok. I didn’t pull them. I carefully dug around them. Pulling is bad. Careful digging is good. Careless digging, which damages the cloves, is bad. Uh, yeah, speaking from personal experience there. Lesson: Don’t rush when harvesting garlic.

In total, I pulled carefully harvested 54 heads of garlic. Some were a bit on the small side, and some had been in the ground too long, but many are glorious and large and smell exactly as they should.

In total, I harvested 54 heads of 'Music' hardneck garlic.

Freshly harvested garlic. Is there a prettier sight?

I gave three heads of garlic to my across-the-street neighbors, whose house looks out on my garden. They are gardeners too, so I don't really worry that they will turn me in to the HOA. But, there's nothing wrong with an occasional bribe, er, gift.

The porch swing easily holds 50+ heads of garlic. This is where they'll stay for a while. Until they dry thoroughly. Or, until the next time I want to sit on the porch swing. Whichever comes first...

So, I’m happy. But, I want more happiness. I want to grow enough garlic to last me an entire year. I don’t think 54 heads will do the trick, so next year I will plant more. More for me. More to share with the neighbors (an investment toward their support of this HOA-rule-breaking garden). And, more to fill the garden. Because, that’s another thing. Garlic is a cool looking plant. Vertical and angular and tall. The scattered clumps of garlic looked great in the garden, and the scapes added a bit of whimsy (until I harvested them all). So, garlic is a winner for three reasons: It’s tasty, makes an excellent bribe gift for the neighbors, and looks fantastic in the garden.

Do you grow garlic? Have you harvested yet? And, how’s your garden looking as we transition to summer?

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Tagged as: garlic, harvest, neighbors