• About
  • Archive
  • Contact
The Greening of Gavin
  • Home
  • Our Green Shop
    • Little Green Workshops
  • Green Workshops
    • Cheese Making
    • Soap Making
    • Soy Candle Making
  • eBooks
    • Clay Oven eBook
    • Keep Calm and Make Cheese eBook
  • Podcast
    • TGOG Podcast
    • TGoG Podcast Archive
    • Little Green Cheese
  • Vlog
  • Cheese
  • Green Living
    • Chickens
    • Gardening
    • Soap Making
    • Recipes
    • Climate Change
    • Peak Oil
    • Solar Power
  • Resources

Garlic Harvest 2014

November 23, 2014 @ 19:46 By Gavin Webber 15 Comments

I finally harvested our crop of garlic that I planted back in April 2014.  You can read about where and what variety I planted in this post titled “Planting time for Brassica and Allium“.

It seems very late in the season to be harvesting garlic, but I checked back to previous years, and the timing is about right.  Mid November here in Melton with our climate.

So how did it all go?

Well, it was the biggest and best harvest ever!  The raised garden beds in the front yard are producing the biggest and best produce on our Suburban Food Farm.  It must be all the sunlight that area gets.

You can see that they have a bit of dirt on them, but that is intentional.  When you pull a bulb out of the ground, just dust off the loose soil and allow the bulb to dry.  You do not need to wash them.

Garlic Harvest 2014

So much garlic, and each clove that I planted survived through the year and produced the most wonderful bulbs.  I also found a disused dog bed that I gave a scrub with warm soapy water that is the perfect place to dry off the garlic once it is picked.

I keep it under cover until the tops fully dry, wipe off the layer of skin that has the soil on it, and then I twist off the bulb and store in a wicker basket in the back of the pantry.  If you are wondering how we store it, check out this post titled “How to store garlic“.

Garlic harvest 2014 - Australian Purple Garlic

Australian Purple Garlic

As you can see, this Australian Purple Garlic is amazing.  It produces a decent sized bulb, which is about the size of the palm of my hand.  It also smells amazingly earthy.

There is nothing quite like cooking with fresh garlic.  It is fat, juicy, peels quickly, and crushes easily with the blade of a large knife.

And the flavour?  Well, simply put, it is sensational.  It brings whatever meal you add it to alive with garlicky goodness.

Who else grew garlic this year?  What was the result, and were you pleased with the flavour?

Will this article help someone you know? If so help them out by sharing now!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket

Related

Filed Under: Gardening, Organic, vegetables

← TGoG Podcast 090 – How to Reduce e-Waste TGoG Podcast 091 – Christmas Consumerism →

About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

Comments

  1. Lynda D says

    November 23, 2014 at 21:21

    I’ve grown garlic and onions in the same bed but my stems are still pretty green. I guess i need a few more weeks. Yours look fantastic, as usual. Im looking forward to pulling them up and seeing the bulbs. Im ready to empty my first potato bin this week, one evening in the cool. Cant wait to see if there is anything in there. Its like Christmas. ps. i did a post on my bag, its beautiful.

    Reply
  2. sarahlloyd14 says

    November 24, 2014 at 03:26

    I have picked half of my garlic so far. I have been experimenting with different varieties. all of the standard varieties are up and hanging to cure. About 110 of them. I might have gotten a little impatient and pulled them too early, but I doubt they would have grown much larger. I had a mix of huge and small bulbs. Im planning to pick my Elephant Garlic (aprox 80 bulbs) in the next week. Idid pull a few already though and they were the best I have grown. So hopefully the rest will follow suit. I love harvesting my garlic and seeing it all hanging to dry..

    Reply
  3. Bek says

    November 24, 2014 at 14:30

    I pulled up my remaining garlic (I had already harvested some) this weekend just gone. I grow a type I call ‘home’ as I can’t recall the variety but I’ve saved cloves and replanted it for the past three years, and ‘rose du cars’ which is in it’s second year but I learned from my previous mistake and made sure I documented the variety. Both have given reasonable crops but nothing palm size, maybe tennis ball size. But I’m pretty happy with that. Enough for saving, to provide a years with of eating garlic and even some to give away.

    Reply
  4. foodnstuff says

    November 24, 2014 at 18:05

    My ‘best’ garlic was golfball size and my ‘worst’ doesn’t bear thinking about. I’ve had better bulbs in previous years, so I still keep trying.

    Reply
  5. rabidlittlehippy says

    November 24, 2014 at 19:21

    We did really well for garlic last year with some great cloves. I harvested on December 24th. This year, the largest from last year is the smallest from this! I have some nearly the size of my FIST! They’re insane! No waste here with the tiddlers though as the goats, particularly Pandora, love garlic and it’s good for a natural wormer or so I’ve read. She isn’t in milk so we have no garlic flavoured milk with which to contend. 🙂
    I’ve harvested my hugelkultur bed I planted with garlic and the biggest of the big (they look more like onions) came from the base of the hugel. The tiddlers from the top so water and nutrients (washed down by the rain) both affected their growth. The other garlics all did well too. I’ve still 1 bed to go but they are in much more limited sun and are all still green.

    Reply
  6. marie says

    November 25, 2014 at 00:33

    This was my second year growing garlic. I had a better harvest this time. In the early summer I harvested the garlic scapes to make pesto…It’s worth growing garlic just for that. I also find I am using more garlic in cooking. Almost all of garlic in the grocery stores is from China…..a big reason why I started growing my own.
    Next years crop is in the ground, I’m hoping for another good crop.

    Reply
  7. Heather says

    November 28, 2014 at 08:03

    Exciting!! I am in the eastern side of Melbourne and haven’t harvested mine yet. Apparently it’s best pulled up when several of the lower leaves go yellow.
    I’ve been growing garlic for about 10 years now. I’ve figured out an equation for garlic self sufficiency:
    HOW TO HAVE HOMEGROWN GARLIC YEAR-ROUND!Work out how many cloves of garlic your household needs each week. Multiply x 52 weeks. Plant the required number of cloves (number of bulbs you’ll need depends on the variety you choose, e.g. some varieties average 10 cloves per bulb). Example: Say you use 8 cloves per week x 52 = 416 per year. Divide by 10 (if your variety will give you a harvest of 10 cloves per bulb) = 41.6. So, plant 42 cloves. You should harvest 42 bulbs @ 10 cloves per bulb. BUT THAT’S JUST YOUR FAMILY. Remember to add more for visitors, chooks and to share, and lots more if you want to eat fresh ‘green garlic’ as well as frozen/preserved garlic during the Aug-Nov ‘garlic gap’.

    Reply
  8. Jo Dumergue says

    November 28, 2014 at 08:42

    Garlic! I love the stuff and use so much throughout the year. In 2013 I grew a wonderful crop using my friend’s cloves (she has been growing garlic for 10 years or more and always has bountiful crops). But this year disaster struck my garlic, onions and Chinese leeks. I’m unsure why since the garlic was planted in a brand new bed we had created as one of the 6 beds so we can rotate vegies to avoid diseases etc. The problem was millions of tiny black aphids which seemed to breed by the hour. I have since learned that all offspring are female and consequently their breeding results in trillions of them sucking the leaves of my alliums! And ants are involved here as well apparently. Has anyone else experienced this problem – and if so, how did you approach this please? Initially I used the hose to spray off the aphids but they came back next day. I then used a mix of soapy water – they returned again. So I then used pyrethrum. By this time they had weakened the plants so my harvest was hardly worth it. I would love to hear so I can avoid this in future years. I hear too that the aphids are not soil borne so I just want to know how to avoid this happening again.

    Reply
    • Gavin Webber says

      November 28, 2014 at 11:42

      Hi Jo. I had a similar experience with black aphids a while back. Here is the post where I wrote about it.

      Hope that helps.

      Gav

      Reply
      • Jo Dumergue says

        November 29, 2014 at 10:24

        Many thanks Gav – this looks like you took the photo directly from my veg garden – mine looked the same! I’ll be putting reminders into my phone now to always check my 2015 garlic for these awful aphids so they don’t get too much of a hold & weaken the plants; & I’ll have ready the eco oil.

        Just another question – how many times did you need to spray until you harvested your garlic & now that you are aware of the damage the aphids can do, do you spray with anything else (as a preventative, even if there are no signs of aphid infestation) to prevent the aphids even considering your garlic as a new home?

        Finally, do you have any idea what actually ‘brings’ the black aphids to the garden, i.e., are there special conditions (mine may not have had sufficient air flow between plants)? I want to be much more prepared in future.

        Cheers
        JO

      • Jo Dumergue says

        November 29, 2014 at 10:27

        There is now an abundance of delicious Aussie garlic flooding the markets – is it too early now to save the largest cloves for planting out in 2015? Any suggestions on the best way to keep the cloves safe for planting out (Brooklyn, NSW) area?

  9. imoyle says

    November 28, 2014 at 08:58

    My first year of growing garlic (at Port Elliot, SA) in a raised bed. I’ve grown Australian White, Melbourne Market and Australian Purple – the Australian Purple has browned of earliest but the others still have a way to go.

    Reply
  10. Nola Kontjonis says

    November 28, 2014 at 19:52

    Have been growing garlic successfully for the past five years now, and this year had to plant them in pots and even transplanted about another thirty from my garden in the last two months of growth due to us moving house! Was pleasantly surprised with a bit of TLC that they all grew extremely well!

    Reply
  11. mccnmatt says

    November 30, 2014 at 07:36

    Very jealous of your garlic crop! I seem to really struggle with it, though my shallots always do well. I wonder if I’m not watering regularly enough or perhaps to build up organic matter in our thin Hawkesbury sandstone soil. It’s not just the brush turkeys although they so seem to have a fatal passion for alliums! Any tips gratefully appreciated!

    Reply
  12. Jo Dumergue says

    November 30, 2014 at 09:42

    We live in Brooklyn (Hawkesbury River area) and 7 years ago had virtually no soil – lots of sandstone outcrops and lots of humous from dropped leaves over the years (which we collected). We made raised garden beds and bought in truck loads of topsoil, manure and mulch to build the soil and encourage worms – all paying off now and it has been a very satisfying few years. We take the trailer to my friend up at Booral and collect cow, sheep and chook poo to add to the soil.

    The worm farms and compost bins do their magic as do the chooks – picking lovely red tomatoes already and though smallish, will be good enough to make some pasatta (sp?) today.

    I am still grieving for my lost garlic crop though………and I figure that for next year I will plant garlic as early and as late into the season as I possibly can in the hope that if the black aphids do attack again, there will be some garlic coming on that will escape the attack! I attended the Stroud Garlic festival earlier this year and purchased different varieties of garlic to plant out, but the garlic that seems to do best in my area is the garlic my friend has grown successfully for the past 10 years.

    Reply

Comments build lively communities. Let me know your thoughts, but keep it clean and green! Spam is removed instantly.Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search This Blog

Follow my work

About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

Delve Into the Archives

Visit Our Online Simple Living Shop

Little Green Workshops

Latest Podcast Episode

Subscribe on iTunes

Top Posts & Pages

Broad Bean Rust
Black Aphids On Garlic
How To Remove Scaly Leg Mites
Curing Olives
Repeat After Me. I Will Never Plant Potatoes With Pumpkins Again
Resources
Broad Bean Seed Experiment Results
The Ant and the Grasshopper
Selling Your Own Soap in Australia
Printer Cartridge Recycling

Recent Awards

Recent Awards

Local Green Hero

Categories

Favourite Daily Reads

Debt Free, Cashed Up, and Laughing

The Off-Grid Solar House

Greener Me

The Rogue Ginger

Little Eco Footprints

Down To Earth

Surviving the Suburbs

Little Green Cheese

Eight Acres

The Witches Kitchen

TGOG Readers On-line

Podcast Reviews

  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

  • ms
    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

  • Well worth your time to tune in
    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
    May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

    A wonderful show!

  • Inspiring
    April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
    October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

Carbon Offset website

Copyright - Gavin Webber © 2025