Garlic in the garden ?

Question

What is the best way to tell when it's ready to be picked ?

Answer 1

I usually pick mine when the seeds develop on top. You can snip the seed stem off, and let the garlic stay in the ground for another year. It will be huge and the seeds will be very viable for planting.
One good way to know when your garlic is ready is to plant it at different times in different areas. I plant mine every 2 weeks starting in February.
A good thing to watch for is leaf dieback. This is a pretty good indicator of when to pick. So when your first batch has browning leaves, you know the second will be ready to pick in about 2 weeks.

Here's a site with some info:

http://www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com/growing.htm

Bon Appétite!
gg

Answer 2

Plant by the fall equinox; harvest on longest day of year. The plants will tell you. They go through changes as that day approaches: they start to put up the flower spikes. Harvest just as that starts, as all further energy will go into seed and flower production, and it will be drawn from the garlic.

Answer 3

i always pull mine when it flowers on top!its usually big enough then!but dont forget to iether leave some in the ground or put back a few cloves for some to grow again next year!