Garlic Drying

[1066]

Hi

I've started to pull some of my garlic as its ready. Question is how long do I dry it out for before I store them. I've read conflicting advice so thought I'd ask on here (  ;D ). Some stuff I've read is a day others say 4 to 5 days. I guess this also relates to onions and shallots as well ......  ???

At the moment its hanging up on the washing line  ;D  ::)  ;D

Thanks

1066

[1066]

[OllieC]

At the moment its hanging up on the washing line  ;D  ::)  ;D

Love it! Just in case the neighbours had any lingering doubts about your sanity!

[1066]

definitely no lingering doubts round here ........  :D

[mummybunny]

I've got mine drying on the dinning table in the house!! Everyone must think we have vampire's you can smell it as soon as you walk into the house.

I also have read different advice on drying out garlic so will be interested in the responses!

Lucy

[OllieC]

For the last 2 years, we've harvested it in the pouring rain, and dried it for a week or two on news papers in the floor (moving it around most days). We've then removed the outer muddy layer, cut the tops down to a few inches and kept it loose in an old wire shopping basket - where it gets rummaged through every now & again. It's stored until at least Christmas.

[1066]

Thanks for that Ollie - I like the idea of the shopping basket, makes sense. Cos the stuff I've read has been about plaiting the garlic and making sure its dry enough so the stems don't rot.

Know what you mean about the smell MB - yesterday I peeled all the small bulbs and put them in the freezer. definietly no vampires round here  :D

[PAULW]

I have one of those plastic greenhouse staging that I use to dry my garlic and shallots on, thread the stems down through the wire the bulbs upward and leave out in the sun and wind they dry perfectly

[Eristic]

I thought that was what the shed was for.

[1066]

I thought that was what the shed was for.

But then that would leave the clothes line going to waste .........   :P  ;D

1066

[mummybunny]

plus i havent got a shed  :'(  ::) ;D

[tim]

Do NOT totally dry the stem.
Do NOT leave to bake in the sun.
Do NOT cut the stems off.

Hardneck lasts until May.

[1066]

Nice and hot and dry here in Hastings, so I presume I should take them off the line after a day then  ??? and pop them in the shed

[Plot69]

Nice and hot and dry here in Hastings, so I presume I should take them off the line after a day then  ??? and pop them in the shed

Best pop them in a Bolognese, sheds don't taste very nice  ;D

[BarriedaleNick]

Know what you mean about the smell MB - yesterday I peeled all the small bulbs and put them in the freezer. definietly no vampires round here  :D

Do you prepare them before freezing in any way?  I confess I have never thought about freezing them..

[tim]

Thanks for reminding me - used the last of 08's the other day & lifted a half grown 09 one.  Stupid.
Had a bag in the freezer!!

(No treatment)

[1066]

Nice and hot and dry here in Hastings, so I presume I should take them off the line after a day then  ??? and pop them in the shed

Best pop them in a Bolognese, sheds don't taste very nice  ;D

;D   ;D   ;D

[pamsdish]

Re freezing Garlic i chopped it, then pressed it into ice-cube trays ,when i wanted some 1 cube was plenty

[Theplotthickens]

At the moment its hanging up on the washing line  ;D  ::)  ;D

Love it! Just in case the neighbours had any lingering doubts about your sanity!

Wonder what mine think of the Deer, Rabbits, Pheasant........  :D

[antipodes]

yes I agree with Tim, keep the stem pliable, drying mine flat in the shed out of the light, and last year I plaited them and kep them indoors in the pantry hung up. I used the last ones about 3 weeks ago!! And I have just dug up this year's on the weekend... Perfect timing.

[1066]

thanks antipodes for the info, I'm not sure I've grown enough for them to last till next year, but have sampled some already and YUM !

And ThePlotThickens -  ;D

1066