It is not enough to grow large and strong garlic, you also need to keep it so that it does not dry out or deteriorate, preferably until the next harvest. We will tell you about the most time-tested methods, when using which you will not have problems with the safety of the crop.
Garlic. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com
I recommend reading: How to effectively get rid of a currant kidney mite
We take into account the basic rules of storage
The main conditions required for long-term storage of the harvest of garlic in a country house or apartment:
- Timely collection harvest. Do not overexpose the garlic in the garden to prevent rotting or excessive moisture.
- Meticulous preparation before storage. After digging, dry the garlic by spreading it out in the garden or under a canopy. After drying, trim the roots to 3 mm and cut the stems to 10 cm.
- Temperature in the storage room. The optimum temperature range is from 5 to 25 ° C. Winter varieties are stored at lower temperatures, while spring varieties are better kept warm.
- Normal humidity level in room.
- Illumination. Garlic prefers poorly lit storage areas such as a cellar, closet, closet, etc.
Choosing a storage method
If the crop is properly harvested and processed, then, as a rule, it will last for a long time in any place that you choose, based on your capabilities and the volume of the harvest.
Here are some traditional proven storage methods:
- In the cellar. Put the dried vegetable, freed from the tops, in rows in wooden boxes and cover on top with several layers of cheesecloth. Move the boxes to the basement or cellar. The temperature in the cellar will keep the garlic from drying out.
- In boxes of hay. The hay will help maintain the proper moisture level and protect the product from rot and mold. Put hay on the bottom of a box, box or wicker basket, and garlic on top and store in any dark place in the country or in the apartment.
- In the ground. Place the garlic in a bag in a hole 30 cm deep and cover it with earth, and the snow that has fallen will provide additional safety for the vegetable. With this method, the product retains its fresh taste longer.
- Loggia or balcony. The loggia is also suitable for storage if it is glazed. Place the garlic in a box or box filled with hay and cover the top with a thick cloth. Please note that at lower temperatures the shelf life will be shorter.
- Pantry. To keep the crop in the pantry for several months, stack vegetables in rows in baskets and periodically sort the heads, move the boxes to avoid caking.
Garlic. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com
How else can you store garlic at home?
There are other alternative storage methods, especially when it comes to small quantities of the crop:
- Uncut braids or mesh. One of the well-known ways to really save storage space. Braids are woven with wire, for which they are suspended from the ceiling in the attic or in the closet. The same thing happens with the mesh in which the heads are laid.
- Canvas bags. The fabric has good air permeability and helps keep crops fresh for longer. Hang sacks of garlic heads in a closet, attic, or dark closet.
- Refrigerator suitable for storing a small number of heads for next use. You can store garlic in a container in the lower vegetable compartment.
- Glass jar with salt. Salt helps to remove excess moisture and keep crops warm for up to 3 months.
- Plastic containers are often used on the farm, including for storing garlic. Place a closed plastic container of garlic in a dark place to preserve the harvest for a long time. Additionally, you can sprinkle the heads with flour or onion skins to protect against pests.
- Vacuum bags allow you to store the crop in an unlit place for 3-4 months.
- Freezer. For long-term storage, you can peel the garlic from the husk, put the cloves in freezer bags and remove in the freezer for a couple of hours, and after freezing, pour the cloves into a container and store in the freezer for up to 1 year.
- Glass jars. A simple and effective way of storage, loved by many gardeners - put garlic in a clean or even better in a sterilized jar and stored in a poorly lit place open, without any additives. So the vegetable does not dry out and remains fresh until spring.
There are many ways to store garlic, we have listed the most popular of them. Try each one and choose the one that suits you best, and as a result, you will preserve your harvest for a long time anyway.
Do you know how to store garlic correctly?
Original articleand many other materials, you can find on ourwebsite.
Read also: How to properly feed plants with urea