Long-term storage of garlic is possible subject to simple rules. It is important to harvest in time, properly dry, clean and create optimal conditions for storage. We learn the collection rules and the main ways of storing a spicy vegetable at home.

Dates and basic collection rules

It is necessary to set the harvest dates correctly. In time, the harvested vegetable lies for a long time and does not lose its taste. The timing of the collection depends on the weather and the variety of garlic. The winter variety planted in autumn ripens in late July. Spring variety, planted in early autumn, ripens a month later, at the end of August.

To determine the exact time of collection, it is necessary to monitor the signs of maturation:

• yellowing and drying of leaves and stem;
• the presence of more than three dense scales on the head;
• the film is easily removed from the cloves.

Important! The main thing is to prevent overriding, it is necessary to dig out the heads in several places in the garden and carefully examine. Overripe bulbs start growth anew, the outer shell of the head darkens and cracks, the cloves crumble. Harvested in dry weather in the evening or in the morning, carefully digging in with a shovel so as not to damage the heads. They are dried for several days, after which the roots are carefully cut, leaving a few millimeters, and the stems, leaving about 5 cm.

Basic storage rules

Bulb storage rules:

• place : dry room, refrigerator, cellar, insulated balcony;
• packaging : cardboard boxes, baskets, fabric bags, glass jars, nylon stockings.

If you don’t cut the stems when cleaning the garlic, then you can weave it into a braid and hang it in the room, this method does not require containers.

Important! Winter variety is more productive than spring, but is not suitable for long-term storage. Spring, can be stored until the summer, even in a warm room at temperatures up to +20 ° C.

Optimal conditions for storing garlic

For winter varieties, temperatures from +1 ° С to +4 ° С and air humidity of 60–80% are desirable. Spring will be well preserved in warm conditions at temperatures from +15 ° С to +20 ° С, air humidity should be in the range of 50–70%. The storage location should be dry, away from heaters, well ventilated.

Methods for storing garlic in the winter at home

Consider the most popular and effective ways to store spiced vegetables. A small number of heads can be stored in the refrigerator or in glass jars, also ground. If the crop is large, then drawers in the basement or on the balcony are suitable. To prevent the heads from drying out, you can fill the tank with salt, sawdust or ash.

For planting a winter variety, the most healthy heads are selected and stored in a cool place for several months until the fall in the basement or on the balcony. If the crop is small, not only cloves can be planted, but also bulbs (air bulbs) of winter garlic. They are not thrown away, they are well dried when the seeds are easily separated from each other, screened from husks and stored in cloth bags. In the fall, bulbs are sown on the bed for the safety and rejuvenation of the variety.

Also learn how to fertilize garlic when planting in the winter. Before planting a bright variety, gardeners recommend in March to place the heads in a cool place 1.5 months before planting in the ground. Such preparation will help to achieve a larger crop.

In the cellar or basement

Winter garlic will last well until spring in the cellar or basement. With a cold storage method, the temperature should be up to +3 ° C and not fall below zero. The basement has high humidity, so it is necessary to provide good ventilation to prevent the appearance of fungus. There should also be no pests in the basement. Harvest is kept in cardboard boxes or wooden boxes. It is necessary to periodically inspect the heads and clean the damaged ones.

In the fridge

A small amount of winter garlic is convenient to keep in the refrigerator on a shelf for vegetables. Garlic will not lose its palatability until 3-4 months. To prevent premature drying, the heads are wrapped in parchment paper or placed in fabric bags with onion husks.

Refrigeration is not suitable for spring garlic.

On the balcony

In a city apartment, garlic can be kept on the balcony. It is necessary to prevent direct sunlight and lower temperatures below 0 ° C. The place should be dry enough, but at the same time with a humidity of at least 50-60%. The heads can be placed in boxes or open cans, in bags. In such conditions, they will remain for several months.

In banks

Another effective storage method is in glass jars. It is advisable to pre-sterilize the jar, fold the whole, uncleaned dry heads or cloves. To keep the garlic for several months and not to dry prematurely, the jars are placed in the refrigerator or on the balcony and the temperature regime is observed depending on the type of garlic.

Did you know? Garlic is a natural antibiotic that strengthens the immune system and thins the blood.

Video: Storage of garlic in banks

In vegetable oil

A small amount of spiced vegetable can be stored in a container filled with vegetable oil. The cloves are cleaned, washed in cold water, put in a jar and poured to the top with vegetable oil. The jar is closed with a lid and placed in the refrigerator. Shelf life is several weeks. Over time, the oil becomes fragrant, and it can also be used to prepare different dishes. If you wish, you can add allspice and hot pepper to the jar.

In sawdust

A long-standing and proven way of storing bulbs is in sawdust. Sawdust must be dry. Well-dried bulbs are stacked in boxes or crates. Sprinkle the bottom with a layer of sawdust 2-3 cm thick, then a layer of bulbs, a layer of sawdust. On top of the sawdust should be completely covered by bulbs, the layer thickness should be at least 3 cm. Boxes are stored in the basement or on the balcony. Shelf life at favorable temperature conditions - more than six months.

In salt

Bulbs in jars or boxes can be sprinkled with salt. This method is suitable for small quantities. Salt absorbs excess moisture and prevents vegetable diseases, and also protects against drying out. It is advisable to change the salt periodically (1-2 times per month) by inspecting the bulbs and removing bad ones. In this form, the vegetable is stored for 5-6 months or more.

Ground

Individual cloves that remain after harvesting can be stored in the ground. This method is suitable for small quantities. Cloves are cleaned, washed and ground using a press, meat grinder or blender. The resulting mass is well salted and placed in sterilized jars. The finished mixture is convenient to use for the preparation of many sauces, soups and other dishes. Store in the refrigerator for several weeks.

Also, the ground mixture can be frozen and kept in the freezer, which allows you to save it until a new crop.

The best varieties for long-term storage

There are many varieties of garlic. New varieties are resistant to frost and disease, high-yielding and well stored in the winter. Spring is better stored in the winter due to more flakes.

The best varieties of winter garlic, characterized by good keeping quality:

• Reliable;
• Hermann;
• Alcor;
• Replicant.

Also learn how to pickle garlic quickly.

Varieties of spring garlic with good keeping quality:

• Abrek;
• Guliver;
• Aleisky;
• Gafurian.

What problems may arise during storage

The main storage problems:

1. Rapid loss of moisture and drying (in case of improper temperature conditions). To avoid this, each bulb is dipped in molten paraffin or wrapped in cling film.
2. Rotting of the bulbs and damage to the fungus (with poor ventilation and high humidity). In such a situation, drying and periodic inspection of the bulbs with the removal of spoiled ones will help.
3. Germination (in sunlight). You need to choose a dark place, in addition, you can gently burn the bottom of the bulb with a lighter or over a gas stove. But such bulbs are unsuitable for planting.

Did you know? The name of the American city of Chicago means “ wild garlic ”.

Additional tips

For successful storage of garlic are advised:

• properly prepare garlic, dry well in the sun, do not wash;
• select only healthy bulbs;
• create favorable storage conditions (temperature, humidity, ventilation);
• periodically review and select damaged bulbs.

So, the rules for storing garlic are not complicated. Everyone can keep the crop, choosing the best way for themselves. It is important to choose the right place, container, to provide the necessary temperature and humidity, depending on the variety.

Video: 7 ways to store garlic